THE 


MASTER'S    HOUSE 


THE 


MASTEirs  HOUSE; 


TALE    OF   SOUTHERN    LIFE 


^ 

BY 

LOGAN : 

\ 

I       - 

"1 

■WAS 

ALWAVS 

THE   FRIEXD   Of 

'  THE 

wrnTE 

MAN." 

^ 


NEW-YORK  : 

T.  L.  McELRATII  &  CO..  17  SPRUCE  STREET. 
LONDON:  .JUlIN  (jASSELL. 

1854. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  tlje  yonr  7854,  by 

T.  L.  MoELKATn  &  CO., 

In  tbo  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Conrt  of  tlio  ITjiitf-rl  Statos  for  tl)e 

Soutl)crn  District  of  New-York. 


/^ 


PREFACE. 


Events  of  everv-day  life  are  constantly  occurring, 
which,  if  recorded,  would  make  more  thrilling  histo- 
ries than  many  of  the  volumes  which  aspire  to  have 
no  other  charact(*  than  that  of  romantic  interest, 
produced  at  the  sacrifice,  if  needs  be,  of  every  other 
quality. 

In  the  present  volume,  a  truthful  story  of  South- 
ern life  has  been  conscientiously  recorded, — one  not 
unusual  in  the  country  of  its  location,  yet  most 
deeply  interesting,  for  the  many  morals  its  details 
naturally  suggest. 

It  is  tlie  privilege  and  the  duty  of  the  living 
and  n'sj,(>nsil)le  actors  upon  the  stage  of  life  to  learn 
from  the  expeiience  of  the  past,  and  make  infer- 
ences of  what  may_ja|4w:aliT|UP^ur  in  the  future. 


If  anj^  thing  be  set  down  in  the  pages  that  follow 
this  imperfect  preface  which  creates  surprise  in  the 
reader, — developes  an  unexpected  phase  in  society, 
— or  exhibits  an  heretofore  unfamiliar  sentiment, — 
the  question  that  arises,  can  these  things  be  true  ? 
should  be  seriously  thought  over  ;  and  then  should 
come  the  inquiry,  what  are  the  extraordinary  causes 
that  produce  them  in  the  organization  of  society  ? 

What  may  be  the  effect  of  the  "  Master's 
House"  upon  the  reader,  tlio  author  cannot  antici- 
pate ;  his  own  understanding  of  the  purposes  in- 
tended is  clear,  and  if  he  has  failed,  it  has  been 
from  a  determination  on  his  i^ar^to  soften  his  pic- 
tures, rather  than  to  give  them  in  their  true,  but 
not  unexaggerated  colors. 

It  would  sometimes  seem  as  if  the  influence  of 
Christianity  was  fading  from  the  world,  or  that  its 
ministers  had  lost  their  influence,  when  its  plainest 
precei^ts  can  be  violated,  without  rousing  a  spirit  of 
condemnation,  which,  if  impotent  to  entirely  prevent, 
might  at  least  protest  against  the  disregard  of  the 
plainest  precepts  of  the  moral  law. 

This  volume  is  dQdicated  to  the  lovers  of  man- 
kind,— to  those  wlio  desire  tlio  highest  development, 


I'REFACE. 


and  would,  by  having  the  evils  of  society  exposed, 
learn  where  to  commence  the  necessary  reform. 
There  are  defects  in  our  social  and  political  systems 
that  arc  working  evils,  which,  if  not  checked,  and 
finally  eradicated,  must  accomplish  universal  ruin. 
The  remedies,  if  of  the  right  kind,  are  neither  in- 
stant in  their  operation,  nor  revolutionary  iu  their 
character  ;  the  first  advancement,  is  the  admission 
that  reform  is  needed,  and  then  the  manner  of  its 
accomplishment  will  readily  suggest  itself. 


CONTENTS. 


CUAPTEH.  PAGE. 

I. — Malden  and  its  Associatioxs  .  .  .13 

The  town— The  old  Hastings  IIouso— CoUego  preferences— A  ray 
of  sunshine— The  students. 

II. — College  Exercises  ....  22 

Commencement  day — Degrees  conferred — Graham  Mildmay — No- 
ble sentiments— The  prophecies  of  the  future. 

III. — Incidents  of  Mildmay's  Eakly  History      .  .     30 

The  Mother— Sacrifice  for  education— Dr.  Elliott's  school— The 
resolution  of  the  young  student — The  pledge  of  afl'ection. 

IV. MiLDMAY'    PURCHASES    "HERITAGE    PlACE  "  .  38 

Graham  goes  to  Louisiana — Steamboat  ti-avellcrs- The  Crescent 
City — Fenwick  makes  a  pleasant  acquaintancc—M.ajor  Dixon's 
flattering  attentions — A  runaway  recalled  to  mind — Major  Dix- 
on's sympathy  for  the  suffering  negro. 

V. — Major  Dixon  and  his  Album  .  .  .48 

Dixon's  business  habits — his  character— description  of  his  "pen" 
— Lizzy,  the  negress — The  " Freesoil  Album" 

VI. — Ben  reads  the  story  of  Charles  Broadnax     .  58 

Litcresting  account  of  a  fugitive,  from  the  Sto7ieyville  Gazette— 
Dixon's  comments  thereon — Cross  purposes — Different  Impres- 
sions. 

VII. A    VARIETY    OF    INCIDENTS  ....       61) 

Graham  removes  to  Louisiana — The  kitchen  oracle — Estraordinaiy 
growth  of  cotton— Depressing  effects  of  Governor's  description 
of  the  sweet  potato  crop— The  Departure— The  Emigration- 
Transformation  of  the  college  student— Tlie  night-watch  on  the 
Mississippi— An-ival  at  Heritage  Place— The  planter- Return  to 
Maiden — Annie  Hastings. 


10  CONTENTS. 

OnAPTEB.  PAGE. 

VIII. — A  Pleasant  Drkam  made  Reality         .  .  85 

Departure  from  the  old  homestead— Journey  down  the  Mississippi 
— Unexpected  difficulties— A  novel  mode  of  travelling — Arrival 
at  homf . 

IX. — An  Unsuccessful  Enterprise  .  .  .93 

Dixon  prepares  for  action — The  town  of  Stoncyrillc — A  merry 
teamster — Loquacious  landlord^Pleasant  dinner — Story  of  Ben- 
son— Arrest  of  a  fugitive — The  result 

X. — 'iiiE  Quiet  Close  of  Day  .  .  .114 

Southern  domestic  scenes — The  sun  goes  down — The  sick  negro — 
The  place  of  repose — The  family  altar — Pleasant  dreams. 

XI. — An  Order  Disobeyed  .  .  .  .123 

The  proscribed  lash— Col.  Price's  visit — "Electioneering  tour" — 

The  boy  Jack — Mr.  Toadviue  receives  sjTnpathy  and  valuablo 

advice  from  his  friend — Ellioacy  of  water-melons — Stubbs  and 

his  proUgi — An  aliecting  reminiscence. 

XII.— The  Promised  Visit        .  .  ,  .137 

The  pleasant  ride — Compliments  Avhcn  servants  meet — Arrival  at 
Mr.  Moreton's — The  matron  at  home — A  perpetual  motion — 
Domestic  scenes. 

XIII. — Every  Day  Incidents  ....  148 

A  conversation — Kemiuiscences — Tlie  courtly  Col.  Lee— A  visit  to 
the  quarters  as  valuablo  messenger — Effective  Pantomime — A 
precocious  child — Aunty's  predictions. 

XIV. — The  IIosriTAHLE  Board  .  .  .  .162 

The  irruption — Order  restored — A  new  version  of  an  old  story — 
Childish  amusements  on  the  lawn — Sagacity  of  the  hound — 
Puggy  Bill  transported  with  joy — Keturn  home. 

XV.— The  Title  Deed        .  .  .  .  .170 

Esquire   Uobby — The  purchaser— Mikhnay  pronounced  upon  by 

competent  judges — Worse  cises  known — Legal  technicalities — 

Kedhibitory— Critical  Examination— A  preference  expressod— 

The  Signature. 

XVI. — Dixon's  Remorse  ....         185 

Pleasant  excitement  at  Bcechland  and  vicinity — Arrival  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Goshawk- The  fair  widow — Tlio  concourse  at  tho  church 
— nap))y  influences  of  such  occasions— Effect  on  Major  Dixon— 
Resolutions  for  tlie  future— Scene  in  the  sick  room— A  consoling 
friend— Black  ghosts. 


CONTENTS.  11 


CnAPTER. 


PACE. 


XVII. — Dixon  acquires  Peace  of  Mind      .  .  .  200 

A  knotty  question  propounded — An  impre.»sive  sermon— Dixon's 
surprise  at  what  lio  heard— becomes  reconciled— Slanders  re- 
futed—Dixon  regenerated. 

XVIII.— Dkath  of  Jack    .  .  .  .  .211 

An  Impetuous  horseman— The  jailer's  attempts  to  molUfy  liis 

guest- Toadvino's  continued  bad  luck— Poor  Jack  has  many 

friends— Ilis  behavior— Patriotic  music— Niglit  closes  In  as  he 

starts  for  homo. 

XIX. — The  Excitement  of  the  Hour         .  .  .219 

A  dark  deed— An  extemporaneous  jnry—Vaguo  speculations— The 
conclave— The  decision. 

XX.— The  Rescue  .  .  .  .  .229 

The  decision  of  the  jury- The  object  of  vengeance— Futile  at- 
tempt to  escape— The  fatal  cord— Unexpected  interruption— 
The  appeal  for  mercy— The  result. 

XXI. — Unexpected  Relatioxshu-  .  .  •         288 

Gen.  Bledsoe— A  cordial  reception— Consanguinity— Old  Dan— 
The  fearful  ride— The  solitary  funeral— The  grace— Curious  di- 
visibility—The retaining  fee  providi-d  for. 

XXII. — Dixon  journeys  on  Business  .  .  .251 

Demand  and  supply  —  Significant  clilrography  —  Dixon  attends 
church— Improves  his  opportunity— A  "hard  up"  neighbor- 
hood ruined  by  the  Yankees— Keceipt  for  "  starting  woll." 

XXIII. — Dixon's  unexpected  Success       .  .  •         267 

The  indefatigable  agent— Sensitive  on  the  character  of  one's  business 

—Mister  and  Master— Private  correspondence— its  effect— The 

considerate  owner— A  bad  education,  and  its  result— The  last 

orders,  and  triumph. 

XXIV. — Austractions  and  Realities  .  •  .27  s 

An  aristocratic  institution— All  men  free  and  equal— A  good  de- 
bater jumping  at  a  wrong  conclusion— Blacksmiths  wtvntej— 
Good  suggestions— Wouldn't  yield  even  a  prejudice. 

XXV. — The  Forms  of  Law         ....  288 

Entrance  of  the  prisoner— Empanelling  the  jury— Doughfaces- 
Talesmen— Model  jurors,  by  all  means— The  indn.^trious  saddler, 
part  of  the  law— A  principle  of  action. 


12  CONTENTS. 


OnAPTEE.  PACK. 

XXVI. — The  Testimony  .....  297 
Orcutt  the  jailer — The  term  "  intoslcated  "  difficult  to  uuderstand 
— Security  against  cross-questioning — Eunaways  dangerous — 
A  standing  witness— Sober  as  any  gentleman — Ready  to  take  a 
"sw'ar" — A  mild,  very  mild  man — Proper  encouragement  to  a 
bashful  man. 

XXVII. — An  American  Weakness  .  .  .         326 

Tlic  piny  woods— Candidate  wth  a  good  cry— Capt.  Duffy  White 

— An  independent  journalist— Hickman's  price — Look  before 

you  le.ip  — The  Disappointment  —  One  passion  displaced  by 

another. 

XXVIII.— The  Field  of  Honor  .  .  .  .846 

The  challenge — The  fearful  struggle — Eesponsibility  transferred  to 
another — The  white  rose — Governor's  alaim — Neglect  of  instruc- 
tions— Mrs.  Moreton's  courage — ^The  picnic. 

XXIX. — The  Catastrophe  ....         358 

Nature  inharmonious  with  mind — Humble  sympathy — Unavailing 
efforts  for  peace — The  Combatants — An  unpleasant  doubt  re- 
vived— The  reminder — Sudden  enthusiasm — Tho  thrilling  mo- 
ment — The  Catastrophe. 

XXX. — The  Widow  and  Orphans  .  .  .  .366 

Aunt  Margaret — Toots — Mrs.  Moreton's  womanly  fears — The  car- 
riages approach — The  suspense — The  truth  becomes  known — 
CoL  Lee  repulsed — The  reaction — The  unavailing  denuncia- 
tions— The  angel  of  morcy — One  placid  face. 

XXXI.— The  Penalty       .  .  .  .  .         zni 

Mildmay  returns  from  the  field — Startling  change— The  mind  con- 
fused—The truth  at  last  obtained— What  is  the  future — A  faint 
hope  of  peace— Col.  Lee's  sudden  departure— Nightfall. 

XXXII.—*     *     *     *     *         .  .  .  .  .390 


THE  MASTER'S  HOUSE; 

A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN     LIFE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

MALDEN    AND    ITS    ASSOCIATIONS. 

There  is  not  a  more  charming  town  in  New  England,  than 
Maiden,  so  celebrated,  and  so  widely  known  for  its  intelli- 
gent population,  its  interesting  traditions,  and  its  most  ex- 
cellent seat  of  learning. 

Until  recently,  Maiden  retained  quite  a  rural  appear- 
ance, and  presented  a  charming  mixture  of  tasteful  cot- 
tages, ornamented  with  choice  shrubbery,  and  a  few  grand 
old  mansions,  half  hidden  away  among  elms  more  than  a 
century  old. 

The  students  who  find  a  temporary  home  at  Maiden, 
bear  patiently  with  many  imaginary  grievances  of  college 
life,  rather  than  abandon  its  beautiful  streets,  its  pictu- 
resque highways  and  hospitable  inhabitants. 

Near  the  centre  of  one  of  the  principal  thoroughfares 
is  an  old,  yet  noble  looking  house,  which  attracts  attention 


14  THE    MASTERS    HOUSE; 

from  the  most  superficial  observer.  It  seems  to  stand  out 
from  aniOEg  tte  irdn-e-  pretentious  residences  by  which  it  is 
surrounded,  as  would  John  Hancock  in  his  rich  but  quaint 
costume,  if  suddenly  thrust  into  a  group  of  modern  gen- 
tlemen. 

There  is  a  width  of  front,  and  massiveness  of  stone- 
work about  this  grand  old  house,  a  ludicrous  largeness 
about  the  knocker,  and  a  mysterious  symbolization  about 
the  coat  of  arms  wrought  among  the  mouldings  over  the 
door-way,  that  tells  a  tale  of  men  and  sentiments  which 
have  for  ever  passed  away,  yet  there  is  left  behind  a  mark, 
well  calculated  to  command  profound  respect. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  old  mansion  were  descendants  of 
a  family  whose  members  were  famous  among  our  Puritan 
fathers,  yet  there  was  little  left  to  them  but  the  traditional 
greatness  of  the  past.  They  retained  of  a  once  splen- 
did fortune,  a  simple  competency,  but  with  decreasing 
wealth  came  inci-easing  pride.  They  lived  almost  in  the 
seclusion  of  ascetics,  and,  complacent  themselves,  they  had 
apparently  no  desire  to  conciliate  the  good  will  of  the  less 
pretentious  people  about  them,  and  thereby  were  almost 
forgotten,  or  unobserved  by  the  inhabitants  of  Maiden. 

On  summer  days  they  could  be  seen  moving  to  church 
with  a  stately  manner,  that  shed  a  kind  of  chilling  influence 
about  them,  and  having  arrived  at  the  "  house  of  prayer," 
they  took  their  seats  "  for  worship,"  with  a  grim  smile  of 
satisfaction,  which  would  have  done  honor  to  the  sternest 
spirits  of  the  "  Protectorate." 

Upon  week  days  they  were  rarely  seen  in  the  streets, 
and  then  guarded  from  intimacy  by  a  careful  attention  to 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  15 

dress,  which  seemed  to  render  them  incapable  of  performing 
a  hearty  salutation,  or  indulging  a  genial  smile,  without 
deranging  a  personal  appearance  of  so  much  importance  to 
be  preserved,  that  it  must  be  done,  even  at  the  sacrifice  of 
the  symbolic  language  of  courtesy  and  friendship. 

The  "  unsociability  of  the  Hastings  family,"  as  hinted, ' 
made  little  impression  upon  the  town ;  it  was  kept  before 
the  inhabitants  more  by  the  noble  looking  old  mansion, 
than  by  any  thing  else,  and  perhaps  it  would  not  have  been 
observed  at  all,  but  for  the  fact,  that  Annie  Hastings,  the 
only  young  person  in  this  family,  had,  imperceptibly  to  her 
staid  guardians  and  to  the  community,  grown  into  an  at- 
tractive, laughing,  hearty  girl ;  but  as  she  made  acquaint- 
ances with  her  schoolmates  of  her  own  age,  and  was  beloved 
by  all  whom  she  met,  she  shed  over  the  previous  dreary  asso- 
ciations of  her  household,  a  genial  sunshine,  so  natoral 
to  youth,  and  so  contagious  in  spite  of  one's  self. 

Annie,  although  naturally  of  an  enthusiastic  tempera- 
ment, had,  insensibly  to  herself,  adopted  a  quiet  manner, 
the  natural  result  of  the  education  she  had  received,  and 
the '•examples  set  before  her ;  jet  she  was  a  great  favorite 
with  the  few  students  who  were  occasionally  indebted  to 
the  inmates  of  the  Hastings  House  for  a  kind  of  formal 
hospitality,  given  more  because  having  company  was  a  tra- 
ditionary peculiarity,  than  a  present  necessity.  She  was 
also  an  object  of  interest,  because  it  was  thought  by  many 
a  visionary  youth,  that  Annie  must  be  very  miserable,  im- 
mured, as  they  imagined,  a  sort  of  prisoner,  among  ihe 
solemn  people  within  the  heavy  walls  of  the  "  old  Hast- 
ings House." 


16  THE    MASTER  S    HOUSE ; 

Among  all  the  students  of  Maiden,  Graham  Mildmay 
was  the  only  one  who  maintained  the  position  of  a  con- 
stant visitor  at  the  home  of  Annie  Hastings.  He  was  a 
"  Southern  student,"  known  to  be  the  heir  of  a  large  es- 
tate, possessed  a  tall  and  manly  personal  appearance,  pleas- 
ing manners,  and  what  is  not  uncommon  to  youth  from  his 
section  of  country,  but  yet  not  characteristic,  was  of  . 
rather  a  serious  temperament. 

It  might  be  supposed  that  the  constant  visits  of  a  gen- 
erous hearted  and  noble  looking  young  stranger,  would 
have  created  a  sentiment  in  Annie's  heart  that  would  soon 
ripen  into  love ;  but  Graham  Mildmay  was  so  courteous,  so 
deferential  in  manner,  that  the  fact  of  his  being  the  most 
distinguished  student  of  his  college,  gratified  Annie's  pride, 
called  into  action  her  intellectual  faculties,  but  excited  no 
deeper  emotions. 

But  this  was  not  all.  Annie  Hastings  was  still  very 
young,  and  she  was  so  educated  to  look  upon  herself;  she 
also  had  that  proper  appreciation  of  her  own  merits  and 
position,  that  she  never  thought  admirers  would  be  difficult 
to  obtain.  But  there  was  a  difference  of  sentiment  exist- 
ing between  Mildmay  and  herself,  that  had  been  the  sub- 
ject of  a  thousand  conversations,  and  yet  had  never  been 
reconciled,  and  this  disagreement  involved  a  high  principle, 
that  was  in  Annie's  feelings  only  to  be  overcome  by  an  in- 
tensity of  love,  still  foreign  to  her  heart. 

Mildmay  was  cordially  accepted  among  the  young 
men  of  the  college  from  his  section  of  the  Union,  as  "  one 
of  their  own  set,"  yet  he  never  entered  heartily  into  their 
dissipations,  or  became  seriously  involved  in  any  way,  with 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  17 

their  reckless  amusements.  He  was  popular  with  all  who 
knew  him  for  his  manliness,  and  seemed  to  happily  combine 
industrious  habits  with  the  cultivated  manners  and  easy 
bearing,  so  peculiar  to  the  youth  of  the  South.  There  was 
a  sense  of  innate  worth,  and  pecuniary  ability  about  Mild- 
may,  that  so  frequently  distinguishes  the  highly  educated 
planter  from  the  mere  business  man,  which,  joined  with  his 
acknowledged  moral  worth,  made  him  a  universal  favorite. 
His  manners  atoned  for  many  thoughtless  breaches  of  disci- 
pline, on  the  part  of  his  fellow  Southerners,  and  he  was 
every  where  spoken  of,  as  one  destined  to  a  high  position 
ia  the  councils  of  his  country,  and  assigned  a  leading  place 
as  a  future  statesman  of  the  South. 

With  two  or  three  of  his  intimate  friends,  Mildmay 
sauntered  down  the  principal  street  of  Maiden ;  he  was  in 
fine  spirits,  for  he  had  carried  off  the  "  honors  of  his 
class,"  and  as  •'  valedictorian^^''  was  the  hero  of  the  hour. 

No  one  felt  envious  that  he  wore  the  scholastic  crown. 
Through  four  long  years  of  study  he  had  been  uniformly 
at  the  head  of  his  classes,  had  never  maliciously  broken  a 
collfege  rule,  had  originated  no  difficulty  with  his  fellow 
students,  had  always  been  generous  to  prodigality ;  and  all 
the  while,  seemingly,  the  least  ambitious  student  in  the  in- 
stitution. 

The  group  of  young  gentlemen  ad  they  pursued  their 
way,  as  if  attracted  by  some  magnetic  influence,  passed  the 
old  and  aristocratic  mansion  of  the  Hastings  family.  An- 
nie was  only  partially  visible  at  tlie  window,  for  an  ambi- 
tious vine  covered  with  gay  flowers,  crept  luxuriantly  over 
the  casement,  eoucealinu  a  fall  view  t'f  her  fair  face,  while 


W' 


18  THE  master's  house; 

her  hand,  on  which  she  leaned,  was  involved  in  her  flaxen 
curls.  Somewhat  to  her  own  astonishment,  she  was  sad, 
and  felt  it  was  because  she  was  thinking  of  the  change  that 
would  take  place  in  her  circumscribed  world,  by  the  break- 
ing up  of  the  Senior  Class  of  the  Halls  of  Maiden. 

"  I  see,"  said  Singleton  Minor,  looking  archly  at  Mild- 
may,  "  that  you  have  brought  us  on  a  pilgrimage  to  your 
own  shrine,  and  will  give  us  a  chance  at  a  respectful  dis- 
tance, to  worship  my  lady  of  a  thousand  graces." 

"Very  natural  indeed,"  quoth  Reynolds  Calhoun. 
"  Graham  wishes  us  to  see  how  pretty  northern  sentiments 
can  be  done  up  in  angelic  forms.  I  think  my  faith  would 
be  staggered,  if  pretty  Annie  Hastings  would  condescend 
to  give  me  a  lecture  on  the  enormous  sin  of  our  '  peculiar 
institutions.'" 

"  And  a  poor  i:)reacher  indeed  would  she  be,"  said 
Adolph  Marigny,  heartily  laughing,  "  for  she  would  carry 
into  slavery  an  honest  Christian  youth  of  our  own  land, 
and  one  nearly  as  fair  as  herself  I  think,"  continued  Ma- 
rigny, seemingly  very  earnest  indeed,  "  I  think  universal 
emancipation  must  prevail,  unless  we  can  make  out  a  special 
case  in  favor  of  a  particular  individual ;  "  and  the  gay  Louisi- 
anian  looked  knowingly  at  the  victim  of  all  this  badinage. 

At  this  instant  Annie  looked  up,  and  she  was  greeted 
by  respectful  salutations,  that  would  have  been  gi-acefully 
conspicuous  at  the  tournaments  of  old. 

"  I  think,"  said  Mildmay,  as  the  party  passed  on,  "  that 
you  are  all  quite  merry  with  your  tongues,  but  I  sec  that 
you  are  also  very  envious  in  your  hearts,  as  you  have  cause 
to  be." 


u 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIEKN    LIFE.  19 

"We  arc  envious  of  course,"  said  Marigny,  "for 
wc  have  made  our  calculatious,  what  a  cozy  time  you 
will  have  of  it,  with  that  fine  old  yellow  brick  mansion, 
shining  out  from  among  the  magnolias ;  it  will  be  quite  re- 
freshing in  a  now  country  to  see  a  little  heraldry,  with  the 
legitimate  excuse,  that  you  inherited  it,  for  I  doubt  if  Miss 
Hastings  would  ever  leave  Maiden,  unless  she  could  take 
the  old  house  away  with  her." 

"  You  will  of  course  improve  it  with  a  wine-cellar  and 
a  billiard-room,"  suggested  Calhoun ;  "for  these  are  things 
that  would  in  this  Jericho  pull  down  the  walls  :  but  I 
think,"  he  continued,  "  that  they  would  stand  unharmed, 
by  such  necessary  associations,  amid  the  free  au-s  of  the 
Mississippi  valley." 

"  And,  besides,  wc  might  have  expected  this,"  said  Sin- 
gleton Minor ;  "  for  you  remember,  boys,  how  very  eloquent 
Mildmay  got,  in  the  Society  rooms,  about  the  Goths  com- 
ing down  upon  the  fair  fields  of  Italy  !  He  seems  to  have 
a  taste  for  these  incursions  into  foreign  lands.  If  I  could 
afford  to  sacrifice  my  inclinations  to  patriotism,  I  do  not 
know  but  that  some  of  these  fair  descendants  of  the 
'  roundheads '  might  capture  the  last  of  a  race  of  cavaliers. 
I  must  confess  I  have  had  my  traditional  prejudices  terri- 
bly shaken." 

"  The  way  was  prepared  for  this  somewhat,"  said  Cal- 
houn, turning  to  Singleton,  "  by  your  romantic  affection 
for  the  daughter  of  either  old  General  Fairfax,  or  Oliver 
Cromwell, — I  forget  which ;  you  can  turn  to  Carlyle  at 
your  leisure,  and  learn  the  particulars." 

"  And  if  you  will  leave  the  unintelligible  author  you 


20  THE  master's  house  ; 

have  named,  and  read  more  English  history,"  continued 
Calhoun,  "you  will  find  that  this  same  staid  daughter 
of  Fairfax  was,  in  time,  the  wildest  duchess  at  the  gay 
court  of  the  dissipated  Charles ;  and  this  fact  is  what  re- 
deems this  puritanical  human  nature.  The  women  are 
always  more  intelligent,  more  facile,  and  more  patriotic 
than  the  men," 

"  Gentlemen  ! "  said  Mildmay  finally,  with  some  feel- 
ing; "  your  jests  have  the  merit  of  wit,  and  perhaps  of 
compliment  ;  yet  they  trench  somewhat  on  personal 
ground,  because  suggested  by,  though  not  necessarily 
alluding  to,  a  particular  lady.  I  am  sorry,  however,  to 
perceive,"  he  continued,  "  that  in  spite  of  your  long  resi- 
dence here,  you  still  make  mental  distinctions  between  the 
people  of  this  great  republic.  I  am  for  myself  determined 
to  know  nothing  of  the  kind,  and,  above  all,  will  I  never 
allow  prejudices  to  control  me,  which  originated  with  the 
British  nation  centuries  before  we  were  born." 

"  Patriotism  is  not  wholly  dead,  in  spite  of  what  disap- 
pointed politicians  say,"  said  Marigny,  looking  with  real 
admiration  at  Mildmay ;  "  but  it  is  after  all,"  he  con- 
tinued, "  the  beautiful  and  good  girls  of  this  same  sterile 
New  England,  who  make  us  feel  our  homes  arc  the  same, 
whether  North  or  South,  and  I  say,  may  Heaven  bless 
them  all ! " 

"  Treason  is  rife, — the  South  is  in  danger, — the  Ama- 
zons of  the  North  conquer, — they  rush  upon  our  defence- 
less cohorts,  and  capture  husbands  with  a  precision  that 
finds  but  a  dim  parallel  in  the  red  man  lariating  the  wild 
horse  on  the  prairie,"  returned  Calhoun,  at  the  same  time 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE,  21 

taking  the  arm  of  Minor,  and  gracefully  bowing,  he  turned 
into  an  obscure  street,  leaving  Marigny  and  Mildmay 
together. 

Mildmay  was  annoyed;  there  was  something  in  the 
half-concealed  sneers  of  the  reckless  Calhoun,  that  caused 
a  dark  cloud  to  pass  over  his  face  :  his  companion  noticed 
it,  and  with  some  concern  inquired, 

"  Has  any  thing  happened  to  oifcnd  you  ?  " 
"  Nothing,"  said  Mildmay,  "  that  is  personal  to  my- 
self; yet,  nevertheless,  I  feel  the  deepest  chagrin  and 
mortification  that  Calhoun,  gifted  as  he  is,  represents  so 
many  of  our  Southern  youth  ;  possessed  of  abilities  beyond 
the  ordinary  standard  of  young  men,  he  has  passed  through 
his  college  course  without  finding  it  necessary  to  ever 
seriously  arouse  from  his  natural  indolence.  He  will  when 
he  goes  home  give  no  useful  tone  to  his  community.  He 
sees  all  the  salient  points  of  these  New  Englanders,  and 
remembers  for  a  contrast,  all  the  superficially  magnificent 
qualities  of  his  native  State ;  but  there  ends  his  phi- 
losophy." 


22  THE    MABTETl's    HOUSE  ; 


CHAPTER  II. 


C  O  L  L  F,  G  E      1".  X  E  R  C  I  S  E  S  . 


At  an  early  hour  of  the  morning,  the  usually  quiet  town  of 
Maiden  {^resented  a  scene  of  interesting  excitement.  Car- 
riages and  foot-passengers  lined  the  highways,  all  moving 
towards  one  common  centre.  It  was  "  Commencement 
Day." 

The  citizens  generally  suspended  business,  that  they 
might  do  honor  to  the  celebration.  Among  the  throng 
appeared  grave  and  reverend  gentlemen,  who  displayed  a 
singular  knowledge  of  the  streets  and  college  buildings, 
but  were  strangers  to  the  citizens — these  were  "  the  boys  of 
former  years  : "  their  greetings  with  each  other  were  cor- 
dial, and  sometimes  of  painful  interest ;  then  there  were  a 
younger  and  more  vigorous  race,  who  had  still  many  asso- 
ciations not  destroyed  by  time,  who  still  knew  all  the  old 
shopkeepers,  and  many  of  the  permanent  residents  of  Mai- 
den :  these  were  members  of  classes  of  quite  recent  times. 
Then  there  were  juveniles,  who  had  just  entered  upon 
their  collegiate  course,  full  of  hope  and  full  of  fear,  victims 
of  many  practical  jokes,  but  merry  withal. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  23 

Then  came  the  "  boys  in  college,"  assuming  airs  from 
their  superiority  of  knowing  what  was  going  on, — when 
came  oif  the  speeches, — who  were  to  make  them, — and 
what  "  societies"  would  gain  the  most  distinguished 
honors.  Then  there  was  the  "graduating  class," — its 
members  generally  happy,  and  over  dressed,  running  to 
and  fro,  as  connected  with  all  sorts  of  incomprehensible 
committees ;  hunting  up  stray  musicians,  spurring  on  in- 
dolent landlords  and  heavy  carpenters,  and  fretting  and 
fuming  generally,  as  they  should,  on  such  important  occa- 
sions. 

Prominent  in  the  scene  were  the  professors  of  the  col- 
lege, arrayed  in  a  suit  that  never  made  its  appearance 
but  once  in  a  year, — looking  ineffably  pleased,  and  seem- 
ingly as  awkward  and  embarrassed  in  the  confusion  as  the 
just  initiated  freshmen  themselves ;  laborious,  and  gener- 
ally conscientious  men,  but  who  seem  to  feel  it  is  no  stretch 
of  truth  to  tell  a  thousand  anxious  parents,  that  "  their 
boys"  are  the  best  in  school,  and  the  only  ones  "that  give 
no  trouble ; "  they  looking  the  while  careworn,  and  feeling 
their  souls  sunken  into  despondency,  by  the  undutiful 
goings  on  of  these  very  objects  of  so  much  maternal  solici- 
tude and  professorial  compliment. 

Lastly,  there  is  the  "  old  Prex,"  with  his  gray  hair, 
and  frosty  .face,  moving  about  like  a  father  among  his 
children,  relaxed  from  his  usual  dignity,  for  his  heart  is 
really  pained  that  he  is  soon  to  bid  adieu  to  many  that  he 
loves,  however  severe  he  may  have  seemed.  Good  and 
generous  old  man !  he  moves  across  the  college -green, — 
the  promiscuous  groups  drop  their  conversation, — the  ban- 


24  THE  master's  house  ; 

ners  wave, — the  music  splits  the  ear  with  discordant 
sounds, — and  the  procession  forms  and  winds  its  way  to 
the  church,  where  the  orations  are  to  be  delivered,  and  the 
degrees  conferred. 

The  gay  throng  passes  by,  and  what  a  glorious  sight ! 
They  go  not  armed  with  the  musket  and  sword,  but  with 
the  vivifying  power  of  knowledge :  there  are  before  you 
veterans  in  the  cause  of  learning,  as  well  as  the  just  en- 
listed volunteer. 

We  kept  with  them  our  joyous  step,  and  remember  well 
the  thrill  of  pleasure  that  filled  our  heart,  as  we  performed 
our  jDart  in  the  peaceful  pageantry  ;  wo  have  since  helped 
make  out  the  heavy  tread  of  desolating  soldiery ;  we  have 
shouted,  as  we  have  aided  in  carrying  our  country's  flag 
upon  the  battlements  of  our  nation's  foes ;  we  have  wit- 
nessed the  fearful  cost  of  such  a  triumph,  and  heard  the 
loud  acclaim  of  a  nation's  admiration  ; — yet,  for  all  this,  the 
sunshiny  bands  that  issue  annually  from  our  collegiate 
halls,  and  under  the  aegis  of  peace,  pursue  their  useful 
triumphs,  do  more  for  the  real  glory  of  their  country  than 
all  the  more  showy,  and  more  attractive  sons  of  war. 

How  gay  the  old  church  looks  !  The  altar  is  hidden 
by  the  well  carpeted  stage ;  the  galleries  are  crowded 
with  bright  faces  of  beauty,  and  every  where  arc  to  be 
seen  the  fond  parents  and  the  doting  sisters,  of  those  who 
have  allotted  parts  in  the  exercises  of  the  day.  Long  it 
seems  they  have  waited,  but  anon  the  distant  music  is  heard, 
and  the  whisper  goes  through  the  expectant  assemblage  that 
"  they  come ; "  presently,  the  faculty,  the  trustees,  tlie 
graduates,  the  students,  each  in  turn,  m;\ko  tlieir  appear- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  25 

ance,  and  the  body  of  tlic  vast  building  is  completely 
filled.  The  band  strikes  up  an  enlivening  air ;  the  strains 
die  away,  when  some  appointed  patriarch  rises  from  his 
seat,  and  in  solemn  tones,  offers  up  a  prayer  of  thanksgiv- 
ing to  the  common  Father  of  all. 

The  student  must,  in  his  career  through  the  world,  act 
in  more  exciting  scenes ;  he  may  himself,  in  time,  preside 
over  these  very  same  ceremonies,  or  as  a  learned  judge,  or 
powerful  statesman,  become  involved  in  acts,  the  solemni- 
ties of  which  are  connected  with  more  important  relations, 
but  he  will  remember  more  vividly  than  all  else  besides, 
the  opening  of  his  Commencement  Day  celebration ;  it  is 
the  first  step  he  tiikcg  upon  the  road  of  life,  where  to  turn 
back  is  impossible,  while  yet  the  future  is  all  uncertainty. 

Reynolds  Calhoun  and  Graham  Mildmay  were  evidently 
not  only  the  popular  orators  with  the  students,  but  with 
the  people.  The  fii-st  named  had  selected  for  his  theme 
"  The  defence  of  the  South;  "  the  last  mentioned,  "  The 
importance  of  a  liberal  education  to  the  American  stu- 
dent." 

It  had  been  whispered  about,  that  both  these  young 
men  had,  under  different  names,  travelled  over  almost  the 
very  same  ground,  and  a  deep  anxiety  was  manifested,  to 
hear  what  was  presumed  would  be  the  bold  and  brilliant 
philippic  of  Calhoun,  and  the  calm  and  close  reasoning  of  the 
deep,  but  more  reflective  Mildmay ;  it  may  be  judged  there- 
fore, what  was  the  disappointment  of  all,  when  tin;  Prcsi- 
(Ipiit  auiiouuced  tliat, 

"  Reynolds  Calhoun  was  excused." 

"  Ah  T   f(;aied,"    wliisitered   IMildniay  to  Adolph  Ma- 


26  THE  master's  house  ; 

rigny ;  "  wbat  a  shame — the  noblest  sentiments,  the  most 
profound  statesmanship,  and  the  happiest  diction,  charac- 
terized his  theme.  Calhoun  wrought  it  out  under  the  heat 
inspired  by  some  imjust  and  bitter  anti-southern  remarks  he 
heard  in  the  street,  but  the  excitement  gone,  he  has  not 
had  energy  enough  left  to  repeat  it  here,  where  alone  it 
could  be  useful,  and  where  alone  he  could  make  himself 
felt  in  defence." 

The  degrees  were  conferred,  the  pleasant  excitement 
ceased,  and  Graham  Mildmay  stood  before  the  audience. 
As  valedictorian,  he  had  stamped  upon  himself,  without 
creating  envy  or  rivals,  the  claim  of  superior  scholarship 
over  all  the  members  of  his  class — this  was  no  small  honor 
— but  he  was,  as  we  have  already  hinted,  a  favorite  with 
the  people  of  the  town,  his  early  history  was  known,  and 
it  was  more  than  usually  interesting.  From  circumstances 
peculiar  to  himself,  he  had  mingled  more  in  society  than 
any  of  the  other  students,  and  the  fact  that  he  was  so  soon 
by  separation,  to  be  almost  entii'ely  lost  to  his  early  friends, 
gave  unusual  interest  to  his  appearance. 

Annie  Hastings  occupied  a  seat  that  commanded  a  per- 
fect view  of  the  stage,  but  was  out  of  sight  herself.  As 
the  tall  form  of  Mildmay  rose  before  her,  she  felt  con- 
founded with  herself,  upon  perceiving  that  her  face  burned 
and  her  heart  audibly  beat. 

"  It  must  be  the  warmth  of  the  room,"  thought  she, 
while  endeavoring  to  catch  more  air  from  her  waviiig  fan, 
for  she  continued,  "  I  was  never  more  oppressed  in  my 
life." 

Mildmay,  in  Lis  address,  rapidly  and  clearly  surveyed 


A    TALE    01-'    SOUTHERN    IJFE.  27 

what  he  conceived  to  be  the  popular  prejudices  of  the  peo- 
ple of  the  North  agaiust  the  South,  and  her  peculiar  insti- 
tutions. He  showed  how  slavery  had  been  entailed  upon 
the  States  by  no  choice  of  those  whom  Providence  had  se- 
lected to  bear  its  responsibilities,  and  expatiated  upon  its 
patriarchal,  and  to  the  dependent,  protective  character. 

He  then  treated  of  its  moral  influence  upon  society, 
denied  that  it  weakened  a  love  of  liberty  in  the  master, 
and  illustrated  his  position  by  showing,  that  the  leader 
of  our  revolution,  and  a  galaxy  of  the  highest  names  of 
that  interesting  period  of  our  national  history,  were  of  the 
South. 

He  next  dwelt  upon  the  necessity  of  encouraging  a  pa- 
ternal regard  for  the  whole  country,  of  takmg  liberal  and 
enlightened  views  of  all  questions  which  treated  of  the  di- 
versified interests  which  came  under  the  notice  of  the 
American  citizen,  and  congratulated  himself  upon  the  fact, 
that  although  his  home  and  his  worldly  interests  were  in  the 
distant  South,  he  had,  by  the  accident  of  his  education, 
learned  to  love  and  understand  the  people  of  the  North. 

Addressing  particularly  the  students  of  the  college,  he 
said  : 

"  Your  leading  and  pervading  thought  should  be,  a 
contemplation  of  the  stupendous  country  of  which  you  arc 
soon  to  be  active  citizens.  If  you  find  your  sentiments 
cramped  by  sectionality,  contemplate  its  vastness ;  if  you 
lack  enthusiasm,  regard  its  glorious  destiny. 

"  Remember  that  the  fierce  winds  which  revel  about  the 
great  lakes,  and  in  winter  sweep  down  the  Aroostook,  are 
tempered  in  their  southward  course  by  the  balmy  airs  of 


28  THE    MASTER  S    HOUSE  ; 

the  Mexican  Grulf,  and  the  heats  of  the  Eio  Grande.  We 
hear  the  dashing  surge  of  the  wild  Atlantic,  as  it  beats 
against  our  rock-bound  coast  on  the  cast,  and  while  we  listen, 
it  is  answered  back  in  milder  accents  by  the  Pacific's  wave 
in  the  west. 

"  But,"  he  continued,  "  our  physical  strength,  vast  as 
it  is,  extending  over  almost  a  continent,  is  surpassed  in 
interest  and  real  importance  by  our  moral  culture.  The 
little  school-house  that  nestles  in  the  corner  of  the  road, 
contains  a  hidden  strength,  which  far  surpasses  in  power 
the  wealth  of  our  soil,  or  the  mere  geographical  extent  of 
our  empire. 

"  Education,  the  parent  of  liberty, — whose  influence 
v/ithcrs  kings,  and  consumes  as  with  fire  the  power  of  the 
oppressor,  finds  a  place  among  us,  whether  it  be  in  the  cot- 
tage of  the  poor  man,  or  the  proud  mansion  of  the  rich. 

"  We  walk  forth  in  the  ennobling  consciousness  of 
sovereign  power.  We  feel  individually  responsible  for 
the  administration  of  our  Grovernment ;  its  emoluments,  its 
honors,  its  glory,  and  its  future,  arc  in  our  individual  keep- 
ing. If  we  strive  to  perfectly  perform  our  task,  we  will 
leave  as  a  heritage  our  own  republican  institutions." 

Having  concluded  his  literary  exercise,  amidst  the 
wildest  plaudits  of  a  delighted  auditory,  he  addressed  sev- 
erally the  "  Senate," — the  "  Professors," — then  turuiug  to 
the  venerable  President,  v/ho  was  already  dissolved  in  tears 
of  heartfelt  admiration,  he  continued,  "  My  father  !  to  you 
1  owe  an  ever  to  be;  unpaid  debt  of  gratitude.  Your  kiml 
liand  has  led  me  in  safety  through  every  seductive  path  of 
youth,  and  your  patience  and  exani[ile  have  iiisjiircd  me 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  29 

with  the  necessity  of  wisdom,  and  the  value  of  self-respect. 
I  leave  you,  sir,  with  the  hope  that  I  shall  carry  to  my  dis- 
tant and  future  home,  such  a  well-founded  determination  to 
honor  your  memory,  that  I  shall  in  time,  like  yourself  com- 
mand the  respect  of  my  fellow-citizens,  and  have  it  ac- 
corded to  me,  that  I  am  not  wholly  useless  in  my  day  and 
generation. 

"  To  you,  my  classmates,  what  can  I  say?  Fare- 
well, is  the  most  expressive  word — but  yet  how  feeble, 
and  how  truly  inadequate,  to  convey  the  feelings  of  my 
heart.  Remember,  as  you  struggle  for  fame,  the  associa- 
tions of  to-day,  and  always  feel,  that  we  are  a  family  of 
brothers,  scattered  by  necessity,  not  from  choice — we  have 
already  the  responsibilities  of  American  citizens  resting 
upon  us,  and  if  we  fulfil  them  well,  the  most  exalted  dig- 
nity is  ours.     Again  I  say,  farewell !  " 

Upon  the  breaking  up  of  the  vast  assembly,  Mildmay 
was  surrounded  by  innumerable  well  wishers,  who  shook 
him  by  the  hand,  congratulated  him  upon  his  address,  and 
expressed  admiration  of  his  personal  and  intellectual  quali- 
ties. 

For  all  these  attentions  he  returned  his  thanks,  with  a 
manner  so  charming  and  so  sincere,  that  he  captivated  all, 
as  the  most  promising  student  that  ever  left  the  protection 
of  the  old  college ;  and  while  the  young  and  enthusiastic 
saw  the  future  hero  in  Mildmay,  the  old  and  reflective 
marked  out  for  him  a  life  of  exalted  usefulness,  that  was 
one  day,  by  its  perfection,  to  make  his  name  familiar  with 
the  great  and  important  interests  of  the  world. 


30  THE    MASTERS    HOUSE! 


CHAPTER  IIL 

INCIDENTS    OF    MILDMAy's    EARLY    HISTORY. 

On  the  evening  following  the  exercises  of  "  Commence- 
ment," the  residence  of  Dr.  Elliott  was  thrown  open,  and 
there  assembled  under  its  hospitable  roof  the  friends  of 
the  college  of  Maiden,  together  with  the  alumni  of  the  in- 
stitution. The  ceremony  of  reception  being  over,  Dr. 
Elliott,  and  a  few  old  friends,  found  themselves  seated 
in  a  quiet  place  upon  one  of  the  spacious  galleries  that 
surrounded  the  house,  and  there  rested  from  the  fatigues 
of  the  day. 

"  You  promised,"  said  one  of  the  visitors  to  Dr.  El- 
liott, "  that  you  would  give  us  some  reminiscences  of 
young  Mildmay,  who  has  created  such  a  sensation  in  his 
favor,  as  the  orator  of  the  day ;  let  us  know  something. 
Doctor,  of  his  personal  history." 

The  kind-hearted  instructor  assented;  and  leaning 
back  on  his  well-cushioned  easy  chair,  he  related  what 
follows. 

"  It  is  now  nearly  twelve  years  ago,  that  I  was  one 
evening  sitting  in  my  parlor,  at  my  old  boarding-school. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  31 

whcu  I  licard  a  knock,  and  getting  up  to  see  who  was  de- 
siring to  come  into  the  house,  I  met  in  the  liall  a  lady, 
dressed  in  deep  mourning,  and  leading  by  the  hand  a  deli- 
cate-looking lad. 

"  After  the  usual  compliments  of  meeting,  she  an- 
nounced herself  as  a  resident  of  North  Carolina;  she 
stated  that  she  was  a  widow,  and  that  the  lad  was  her 
only  son.  She  also  said,  that  as  he  was  heir  to  a  large 
estate,  she  felt  the  importance  of  his  receiving  such  an 
education,  as  would  enable  him  in  the  best  manner  to  dis- 
charge the  responsible  duties  that  would  eventually  de- 
volve upon  him.  She  added,  that  through  a  respected 
neighbor,  a  former  pupil  of  mine,  she  was  acquainted  with 
my  capacity  (she  was  pleased  to  say)  to  teach,  and  trust- 
worthiness as  a  guardian  of  her  child. 

"  Nothing  she  said  would  have  enabled  her  to  make  the 
sacrifice  of  being  parted  from  him,  although  fully  convinced 
of  its  propriety,  but  the  fact,  that  it  was  the  often  ex- 
pressed injunction  of  Graham's  father,  that  he  should  at  a 
suitable  age  be  placed  in  a  school  at  the  North,  and  there 
remain  until  his  education  was  complete. 

"  The  separation  of  the  mother  from  her  child  was 
one  of  the  most  painful  things  that  I  ever  witnessed. 
After  repeated  attempts  to  take  formal  leave,  she  was 
finally  obliged  to  steal  away  while  he  was  asleep,  and  then 
hurried  from  Maiden  for  fear  that  her  heart  would  compel 
her  to  return. 

"  The  lad  I  found  of  a  good,  but  at  times  self-willed 
disposition ;  but  as  his  mind  expanded,  he  seemed  to  com- 
prehend in  a  remarkable  degree  how  nuicli  his  mother  had 


32  THE  master's  house; 

sacrificed  ttat  he  might  receive  the  advantages  of  a  good 
education,  and,  it  would  appear,  that  he  had  at  an  early 
day  determined  to  achieve  a  triumph. 

"  The  declining  health  of  the  mother,  who  had  each 
successive  year  visited  Maiden,  finally  assumed  a  fatal 
character ;  and  by  some  temporary  derangement  of  the 
mails,  the  news  of  her  decease  did  not  reach  Maiden  until 
nearly  two  weeks  after  the  sad  event.  From  that  time  I 
felt  an  additional  interest  in  the  success  of  Graham 
Mildmay. 

"  Upon  the  very  day  on  which  he  was  examined  and 
declared  to  be  well  prepared  to  enter  the  freshman  class 
of  the  college,  I  was  by  the  partiality  of  my  friends 
elected  to  the  honored  office  of  its  President,  so  that  Gra- 
ham still  continued  a  member  of  my  family,  even  up  to 
the  present  time ;  but  to-day,"  said  the  Doctor,  his  voice 
husky  with  emotion,  "  he  has,  with  his  college  honors, 
taken  the  place  of  a  man  in  the  wide  world,  and  I  lose 
one  of  the  best  of  pupils, — and  I  will  add,  one  of  the 
most  esteemed  friends  it  has  ever  been  my  fortune  to 
know. 

"  As  a  teacher,  and  I  may  say,  parent  of  Graham,  I 
have  endeavored  to  conscientiously  perform  every  promise 
made  to  his  excellent  mother,  and  I  think  he  now  presents 
to  the  world,  a  youth,  of  whom  any  fond  father  or  doting 
mother  might  be  proud." 

This  exhibition  of  pardonable  pride  in  the  Doctor,  as 
he  reflected  upon  the  exercises  of  the  day,  and  recalled  the 
triumph  of  his  proU'gr,  was  sympathized  in  by  all  of  his 
auditors,  and  the  conversation  took  a  general  character,  the 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIEUN    LIFE.  33 

biirdcn  of  which  was,  Graham's  future,  which  was  prophe- 
sied would  be  a  brilliant  and  useful  career. 

While  the  good  Dr.  Elliott  was  dwelling  upon  the 
history  of  his  much-loved  pupil,  Mildmay  was  sitting  in 
the  imposing  parlor  of  the  Hastings  House.  Years  ago 
had  he  first  entered  that  old  mansion,  a  thoughtless  boy. 
In  all  times  since  then  he  had  been  received  like  a  dis- 
tant relation  of  the  family,  and  was  treated  by  the  elderly 
members  almost  as  a  child ;  but  it  seemed  to  him,  that  now 
that  he  had  graduated,  a  new  spirit,  and  strange  responsi- 
bilities possessed  him. 

Instead  of  running  up  the  steps,  as  was  his  usual  cus- 
tom, he  walked  as  gravely  as  any  Hastings  could,  into  the 
hall,  where  he  met  Annie,  and,  involuntarily,  he  gave  the 
formal  greeting  of  "  Miss  Hastings." 

"  Miss,  indeed,"  echoed  Annie,  half  amused,  and  half 
surprised. 

"  Yes,  Miss  Hastings,"  said  Mildmay,  a  strange  sensa 
tion  of  bewilderment  coming  over  his  mind. 

"  Upon  my  word,"  said  the  fair  girl,  with  one  of  her 
merry  laughs,  "  because  you  were  the  hero  to-day,  does  it 
necessarily  follow  that  your  language  must  move  on  stilts," 

"  Not  at  all,"  returned  Mildmay,  as  the  two  seated 
themselves  in  the  parlor,  his  voice  softened  almost  to  a 
whisper,  "  but,  Miss  Hastings — Annie,  I  mean,  are  you 
aware,  that  I  leave  Maiden  to-morrow,  and  do  you  think 
that  such  a  separation  can  be  made  without  any  deep  emo- 
tion on  my  part  ?  " 

"  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  feel  deep  regret  at  leaving 
2* 


34  THE  master's  house  ; 

Dr.  Elliott,"  said  Annie,  apparently  very  much  occupied 
in  arranging  a  bouquet  of  flowers  on  a  table  near  by. 

"  I  shall,  as  you  say,  feel  deep  regret  at  parting  with 
Dr.  Elliott,  although  I  had  not  particularly  recurred  be- 
fore to  the  fact,"  retui-ned  Mildmay,  a  little  surprised  him- 
self at  the  reflection. 

"  Then  you  are  certainly  very  ungrateful,"  said  Annie, 
with  a  playfulness  she  evidently  did  not  feel. 

"  Perhaps  I  am,"  replied  Mildmay;  "  but  Annie,"  he 
continued,  "  with  the  necessity  of  leaving  Maiden,  I  have 
most  thought  of  leaving  you.  Maiden  has  been  for  years 
my  home, — within  its  precincts  are  many  of  my  most  vivid 
and  pleasant  recollections ;  but  if  I  cannot  take  with  me 
the  assurance  that  I  am  held  in  esteem  by  you,  and  also 
the  hope  that  I  can  return  at  some  future  time,  and  claim 
a  higher  place  than  friendship  in  your  afiections,  then  upon 
my  departure  will  I  be  wretched  indeed." 

"  You  have  certainly  changed  very  much  since  yester- 
day, Graham,"  said  Annie,  maintaining  her  presence  of 
mind,  and  controlling  her  feelings,  "  for  to  my  knowledge," 
she  continued,  "  you  have  been  longing  to  get  free  from 
the  summons  of  the  college  bell — those  hateful  professors — 
and,  if  your  compliments  at  our  tea  table  are  not  all  pre- 
tence, still  more  hateful  commons." 

"  True,"  answered  Graham,  "  such  should  be  my  re- 
joicing, but  it  is  not  so;  my  fellow-students,  when  they 
abandon  their  alma  mater,  have  warmer  mothers  to  greet 
them,  and  a  thousand  long-neglected  home  associations  to 
revive,  but  I  have  neither  one  nor  the  other.  Away  from 
Maiden,  and  I  leave  my  most  cherished  friends  behind  me, 


A    TALK    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFK.  35 

and  shall  be  a  perfect  stranger,  even  where  my  worldly 
interests  are  all  centered,  and  where  in  the  order  of  Provi- 
dence I  must  find  a  home." 

"  True,  true,"  replied  Annie,  her  face  full  of  sympathy, 
"  what  you  say  is  true,  but,"  she  suggested,  "  will  you  not 
soon  be  in  your  distant  South,  and  there  find  charms 
enough  in  those  bright  Hebe  eyes  wc  read  about  as  so  pe- 
culiar to  a  tropical  clime,  to  make  you  soon,  very  soon  for- 
get the  chilly  atmosphere  of  our  cold  climate,  and  the  awk- 
wardly expressed  friendships  of  our  colder  hearts." 

"  Do  not  say  colder  hearts,  Annie,"  said  Mildmay,  seiz- 
ing her  unresisting  hand,  "  say  not  even  indifferent  ones, 
for  I  have  long  indulged  a  hope  that  I  may  have  awakened 
an  interest  in  your  affections,  that  might  in  time  change 
from  passing  interest  into  love." 

"  Graham,"  said  Annie,  her  eyes  swimming  in  confu- 
sion, "  could  I  have  been  spared  this  ackuowlodgment  on 
your  part,  it  would  have  saved  me  a  great  deal  of  pain,  but 
how  much  more  I  should  have  felt,  had  you  left  Maiden 
without  this  acknowledgment  of  esteem,  I  dare  not  say," 

"  Say  not  esteem,  Annie,"  returned  Mildmay,  "  say 
nothino-  if  you  can  find  no  more  genial  word ;  rather  let 
your  silence  give  me  the  hope  your  tongue  would  deny." 

"  Graham,"  said  Annie,  the  tears  struggling  in  her 
eyes,  "  what  hold  in  the  future  can  our  plain  New  England 
home  retain  upon  one  who  has  so  wide  a  field  of  active 
life  before  him.  I  dare  not  indulge  the  thought,  Graham, 
that  you  will  not  illustrate  the  jiroverbial  fickleness  of  col- 
lege friendships." 

"  Then,"  said  Graham,  with  an  energy  that  startled 


3G  THE  master's  house  ; 

Annie  almost  with  alarm,  "  then  you  are  not  prepared  to 
do  justice  to  the  truest  heart  that  ever  beat  with  love! 
Annie,  my  sentiments  are  not  the  growth  of  an  hour,  a 
caprice  of  a  day ;  almost  from  the  time  we  first  met,  have  I 
indulged  the  ambitious  hope  of  calling  you  at  some  future 
time  my  own." 

At  this  frank  declaration,  not  altogether  unexpected, 
from  the  vague  communings  of  Annie's  inmost  thoughts, 
she  withdrew  her  hand  from  Crraham,  and  bent  her  eyes 
for  a  moment  on  the  ground,  then  recovering  herself,  she 
said : 

"  You  may  ascribe  my  conduct,  Graham,  to  coldness, 
rather  than  education,  but  you  know  I  have  been  raised  to 
cultivate  a  self-sacrificing  spirit.  I  dare  not  be  too  enthusi- 
astic, dare  not  hope  too  much ;  therefore,  Grraham,  speak 
only  of  friendship,  not  of  love." 

"  I  will  do  all  that  you  please,"  said  Graham,  his  face 
expressing  joy;  "only  tell  me,"  he  continued,  "that  at 
some  future  time  you  will  give  me  hope," 

"  Two  years  hence,"  said  Annie,  placing  her  hand  in 
Graham's,  "  you  will  find  me  with  a  heart  as  free  as  now, 
and  still  Annie  Hastings.  If  at  the  end  of  that  time  your 
college  preferences  are  confirmed,  in  spite  of  your  expe- 
rience in  the  world,  then  Graham,  and  not  till  then,  offer 
me  your  heart." 

"  And  may  I,  in  that  long  probation,  write  to  you, 
Annie,  from  my  southern  home  ?  "  said  Graham,  staring 
into  her  pure  face  as  if  he  would  see  her  very  soul. 

"  You  may  write,  Graham,  as  we  have  in  times  past 
talked ;  we  shall  all  be  glad  to  hoar  from  you,  and  I  am 


A    lALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  37 

sure  Dr.  Elliott  will  let  you  often  hear  from  your  friends 
in  Maiden," 

"  Enough,  enough,"  said  Graham,  passionately,  press- 
ing Annie's  still  imprisoned  hand  to  his  heart,  and  im- 
printing an  unresisted  kiss  upon  her  forehead.  "  Enough, 
Annie,"  he  again  repeated.  "  And  now,"  he  continued, 
with  animation,  "  the  two  long  years  of  my  probation 
shall  be  laboriously,  but,  because  of  your  existence,  hope- 
fully spent.  In  that  time  I  will  have  assumed  full  control 
of  my  long  neglected  estate ;  the  cares  of  business  will  be 
light,  because  they  are  to  be  crowned  with  such  a  reward. 
I  already  feel —  " 

"  No  more !  "  said  Annie,  playfully  interrupting  him, 
"  let  us  talk  of  other  things." 

The  many  words  that  were  spoken  in  the  long  conversa- 
tion that  ensued,  would  to  others  appear  cold  and  common- 
place, but  they  were  used  only  to  beguile  the  ear  of  two 
young  and  hopeful  beings,  who  uttered  their  real  thoughts 
with  their  eyes,  and  responded  through  the  deeper  sympa- 
thy of  united  hearts. 


38  THE  master's  house  ; 


CHAPTER  IV. 

MILDMAY    PURCHASES    "  HERITAGE    PLACE." 

MiLDMAY,  from  the  time  that  his  mother  died,  had,  each 
succeeding  spring,  passed  two  or  three  weeks  on  his  plan- 
tation, and  in  that  way  was  somewhat  acquainted  with  the 
duties  connected  with  his  future  careei*.  His  business  had 
been,  in  his  long  absence  at  the  North,  all  things  consid- 
ered, carefully  attended  to ;  and  upon  his  arrival  at  home, 
after  a  due  celebration  by  the  negroes,  of  "  Master's  re- 
turn," Mildmay  was  soon  involved  in  the  serious  duties  of 
life,  and  the  novelty  of  his  situation  softened  any  severe 
regrets  he  felt  for  the  scenes  he  had  left  at  Maiden." 

Graham  once  at  home,  he  occupied  most  of  his  leisure 
time  in  writing  letters  to  his  old  master,  in  which  he  gave 
interesting  details  of  his  new  pursuits,  and  amusing  de- 
scriptions of  the  incidents  of  plantation  life.  These  let- 
ters were  received  by  the  worthy  Dr.  Elliott,  and  carefully 
perused,  and  then  quietly  handed  over  to  some  member  of 
the  "  Hastings  family,"  with  the  remark,  "  that,  perhaps, 
something  from  our  young  friend,  Mildmay,  would  not  be 
uninteresting." 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  39 

With  conscientious  regularity,  did  the  Doctor  answer 
these  friendly  epistles.  He  had  been  made  Mildmay's 
confidant  in  all  that  related  to  Annie  Hastings,  and  cor- 
dially approving  of  the  proposed  union,  without  inter- 
fering, or  in  any  way  encouraging  the  intermediate  steps, 
he  had  promised  to  act  as  we  have  seen,  as  the  medium  of 
communication,  but  not  until  fully  authorized  so  to  do,  by 
the  family  of  the  "  old  Hastings  House." 

Whatever  were  Annie's  feelings,  no  one  but  herself 
knew ;  it  was  noticeable  among  the  members  of  her  house- 
hold, that  upon  receiving  the  Doctor's  letters  from  Mild- 
may,  she  spent  a  longer  time  than  usual  in  her  room,  and 
that  those  same  epistles  were  never  seen  or  heard  of,  after 
being  once  given  into  her  possession.  But,  as  the  Doctor 
wrote  to  his  former  pupil,  "  Annie  seemed  entirely  ab- 
sorbed in  household  aiFairs,  and  in  reading,  and  of  late  had 
visited  even  less  than  usual."  There  was,  in  truth,  a  quiet 
and  dignified  calmness  about  her  maimer,  that  met  with 
the  most  cordial  approbation  from  her  staid  relations. 

Month  after  month  quickly  passed  away,  as  Graham 
each  day  found  new  matters  to  occupy  his  attention.  His 
confidential  and  trusty  business  man,  Mr,  Fenwick,  who 
had  so  well  managed  the  estate  during  Graham's  minority, 
was  anxious  now  to  resign  his  trust  into  Graham's  hands, 
preparatory  to  commencing  business  upon  his  own  account. 

Graham  also  found,  that  the  lands  he  occupied,  as  well 
as  those  about  him,  had  been  worn  out  by  long  cultivation, 
and  that  he  was  really  living  in  a  deserted  country.  From 
Mr.  Fenwick  he  learned  the  fact,  that  his  father,  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  had  made  preparations  to  remove  farther 


40  THE  master's  house  ; 

south,  and  as  sucli  an  act  was  more  than  ever  demanded, 
he  determmed  at  ouce  to  set  about  the  necessary  prepara- 
tions. 

Graham,  as  will  be  seen,  had  no  particular  attachment 
to  the  "  home  place,"  and  he  looked  forward  with  romantic 
interest  to  the  founding  of  one  himself,  one  worthy,  as  he 
thought,  of  Annie ;  a  home  in  a  new  and  vigorous  State, — 
where  he  could  rise  with  its  fortunes,  and  identify  his  name 
with  its  prosperity. 

With  this  noble  ambition,  and  accompanied  by  Mr.  Fen- 
wick,  and  fortified  with  letters  from  the  best  men  of  his 
native  State,  in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  Mildmay  was  saU- 
iug  down  the  river  Mississippi  on  his  way  to  New  Orleans. 
The  solemn  grandeur  of  the  mighty  Father  of  Waters  made 
a  deep  impression  upon  him,  but  still  more  was  he  affected 
as  he  witnessed  the  evidences  of  pi-ogi-ess,  the  rapid  strides 
of  civilization.  His  soul  fakly  expanded  as  he  contempla- 
ted the  developments  of  the  futui'e,  and  in  the  enthusiasm 
of  the  moment  he  thanked  God,  that  he  had  been  born  to 
witness  and  take  a  part  in  the  scenes  around  him. 

Arriving  at  his  place  of  destination  in  the  month  of 
December,  he  could  hardly  realize  the  fact,  that  the  same 
season  of  year,  which  at  Maiden  bound  every  thing  in 
ice  and  snow,  in  Louisiana  decked  every  thing  in  the  most 
lovely  vegetation,  and  breathed  the  balmy  au's,  of  a  ge- 
nial spring. 

For  a  few  days  Mildmay  abandoned  himself  to  the  nov- 
elties presented  by  the  anomalous  character  of  the  south- 
ern metropolis.  His  extensive  reading  prepared  him  to  ap- 
preciate the  strange  architecture  he  met  in  the  older  parts 


A    TALE    OF    SOmrEUy    LIFE.  41 

of  the  city,  and  his  curiosity  was  excited  and  gratified  by  the 
Babel-like  confusion  that  prevailed  among  the  tongues  and 
the  people  comprising  the  motley  population. 

Upon  the  broad  and  no-where-elsc  to  be  seen  "  levee," 
he  beheld  in  amazement,  the  accumulating  agricultural 
wealth  of  the  great  valley  of  a  mighty  continent.  He  saw 
piled  up  before  him  for  miles,  the  sugar,  the  cotton,  the 
corn,  and  the  tobacco, — treasures  taken  from  the  fields, 
yet,  in  vying  abundance,  there  reposed  side  by  side,  vast 
piles  of  mineral  wealth,  of  lead,  of  iron,  of  copper,  dug  from 
the  cmbowelled  earth. 

Assembled  in  the  magnificent  halls  of  his  sumptuous 
hotel,  he  found,  constantly  before  his  eye,  representatives 
of  all  nations,  each  endeavoring  to  best  display  his  superi- 
ority ;  but  it  was  among  the  Southerners,  who  seemed  to 
carry  their  hearts  in  their  hand,  and  who  were,  as  the  rep- 
resentatives of  the  great  planting  interests,  identified  with 
himself,  that  he  found  the  marked  men  of  the  multitude — 
the  cordially-acknowledged  princes  of  the  crowd. 

To  this  latter  class  Mildmay,  who  resembled  them  in 
person,  was  insensibly  drawn  by  a  thousand  chords  of  sym- 
pathy, that  had  heretofore  slumbered  in  his  breast.  He 
heard  them  speak  of  their  crops,  of  their  negroes,  of  their 
plantations ;  he  saw  their  lavish  expenditure  of  money ;  wit- 
nessed the  respect  they  commanded,  from  all  who  conversed 
with  them,  and  there  rose  in  his  bosom  a  consciousness  of 
self-importance,  which  gave  a  new  dignity  to  his  carriage, 
and  a  wider  range  to  his  thoughts. 

Fenwick,  who  was  a  practical  sort  of  character,  very 
soon  made  some  congenial  acquaintances,  and  with  them, 


42  TiiK  master's  house  ; 

he  visited  the  neighboring  plantations,  and  he  could  not 
suppress  his  enthusiasm  at  the  richness  of  the  vegetation 
he  witnessed,  and  the  easy  manner  with  which  they  were 
made  to  produce  an  abundant  crop,  compared  to  the  more 
sterile  soil  of  North  Carolina. 

It  soon  became  known  among  those  interested,  what 
Mildmay's  business  was,  and  offers  of  land  came  pouring  in 
upon  him,  from  a  hundred  quarters.  Whole  principalities 
were  offered  him  in  Texas,  at  nominal  rates.  Half  opened 
plantations  high  up  some  still  unfamiliar  river,  upon  any 
terms  he  might  choose  to  offer,  but  as  the  "  location  "  came 
nearer  New  Orleans,  the  prices  increased,  until  at  last  they 
reached  enormous  sums. 

Among  the  acquaintances  that  Fenwick  had  picked  up 
about  the  hotel,  was  a  tall  and  rather  attractive-looking 
individual,  who  rejoiced  in  the  cognomen  of  Major  Dixon. 
This  Major  Dixon  was  exceedingly  affable,  knew  exactly  the 
value  of  negroes,  the  prices  of  cotton  and  sugar,  and  seem- 
ed to  be  acquainted,  from  personal  observation,  with  every 
bit  of  available  land  that  was  for  sale,  not  only  in  Louisia- 
na and  North  Carolina,  but  in  half  the  Southern  States. 

To  Fenwick,  the  Major  was  particularly  attentive; 
though  he  did  not  seem  indifferent,  still  he  made  no  approach 
to  speak  with  Mildmay,  and  it  was  not  until  Fenwick  had 
dwelt  in  eloquent  terms  upon  the  value  of  the  acquaintance, 
that  Mildmay  permitted  himself  to  be  introduced. 

Major  Dixon  had  a  dashing  off-hand  manner,  talked  a 
great  deal  of  good  sense,  but  occasionally  shocked  Mild- 
may's  sensibilities  by  a  remark,  which  showed  cither  a  want 
of  knowledge  of  the  true  use  of  words,  or  else  an  exceed- 
ingly callous  heart. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  43 

Upon  the  subject  of  purcliasing  a  plantation  Major 
Dixon  afforded  much  real  information,  for  Mildmay  found 
that  his  opinions  were  verified  by  gentlemen,  to  whom  he 
had  letters  of  credit  and  introduction,  and  there  soon  sprung 
up  quite  an  exchange  of  time  and  conversation  between  Mild- 
may  and  the  affable,  knowing,  and  always  apparently  at  leis- 
ure, Major  Dixon. 

That  the  acquaintance  was  respectable  Mildmay  did 
not  doubt,  for  he  found  that  gentlemen,  who  had  been  point- 
ed out  to  him  by  the  communicative  clerk  of  the  hotel,  as 
some  of  the  wealthiest  planters  of  the  State,  frequently 
were  with  Dixon  in  some  obscm-e  corner  engaged  in  long 
and  apparently  confidential  conversations.  Mildmay  deter- 
mined to  solve  the  mystery,  and  commissioned  Fenwick  to 
learn  who  the  attentive  Major  Dixon  was. 

Each  day  that  Mildmay  spent  in  New  Orleans,  he  en- 
larged his  circle  of  acquaintances,  and  finally  accepted  one 
or  two  invitations  to  visit  wealthy  planters  living  on  "  the 
coast."  The  more  he  saw  of  the  country  and  the  people 
the  more  he  was  delighted ;  and  he  returned  to  his  hotel 
from  his  suburban  trips,  inspired  with  the  determination 
to  select  a  place  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment,  hasten 
home,  and  complete  the  laborious  business  of  moving  the 
accessories  of  a  large  plantation. 

Among  "the  bargains"  offered  him,  was  one  situated 
some  two  hundred  miles  or  more  above  New  Orleans,  not 
directly  upon  the  river,  but  presenting  a  remarkably  fine 
body  of  land,  on  one  of  the  many  tributaries  emptying  into 
the  Mississippi. 

To  this  place  Mildmay  was  particularly  attracted,  from 


44  THE  master's  house  ; 

tlie  fact,  that  it  was  placed  for  sale  in  the  hands  of  an  agent 
of  the  most  responsible  character,  had  already  built  upon 
it  a  fine  mansion,  and  an  abundance  of  negro  cabins ;  in 
fact  required  nothing,  as  the  advertisement  asserted,  but  a 
"respectable  force"  to  combine  all  the  requirements  of  a 
"  first  class  place." 

Major  Dixon  knew  all  about  the  piece  of  land  alluded 
to,  and  gave  Mildmay  a  minute,  and,  as  it  afterwards  proved, 
correct  description  of  it. 

He  stated  that  it  was  originally  opened  by  a  wealthy 
man  from  South  Carolina,  who  had  ideas  of  style  rather 
beyond  his  means,  and  became  so  involved  by  his  many 
improvements,  that  he  at  last  abandoned  the  property  in 
disgust,  and  threw  it  upon  the  hands  of  those  who  had 
been  most  liberal  in  loaning  him  money. 

"  With  fifty  good  hands,"  said  Dixon,  in  conclusion  of  his 
remarks,  "  in  two  years  the  '  Heritage  Place '  can  be  made 
one  of  the  most  profitable  properties  in  the  country." 

Mildmay  and  his  companion  Fenwick  left  New  Orleans, 
and  with  an  agent  of  the  owners  of  the  "Heritage  Place," 
they  took  a  small  steamer,  and  for  more  than  a  day  pro- 
gressed up  the  Mississippi  River.  Sometime  in  the  night, 
while  Mildmay  was  asleep,  the  boat  shot  into  "  a  bayou," 
and  in  professional  parlance  "  laid  up,"  until  the  following 
morning,  and  soon  after  Mildmay  made  his  appearance,  it 
commenced  moving  between  narrowing  shores,  along  which 
could  occasionally  be  seen  improved  plantations,  and  the 
innumerable  laborers  at  their  daily  work. 

The  country,  though  flat,  was  as  beautiful  and  as  rich 
in  agricultural  wealth  as  could  be  imagined.  Towards  noon 


A    TALE    OF    SOITIIEUN     1,1  KK,  45 

the  little  steamer,  tliat  went  but  three  or  four  miles  an  hour, 
ran  its  bows  into  the  landing  at  "  Heritage  Place,"  and 
leaving  Mildmay  and  his  friends,  passed  on  its  way,  with 
the  understanding,  that  in  the  course  of  the  afternoon  it 
would  pick  them  up  as  it  returned  back  to  New  Orleans. 

Two  or  three  acres  distant  from  the  shores  of  "the 
bayou,"  was  a  fine  stately-looking  dwelling,  so  massive,  that 
it  really  had  an  imposing  appearance.  It  had  never  been 
entirely  finished,  and  already  signs  of  decay  were  seen  upon 
the  brick  pillars  that  supported  the  capacious  verandahs. 

In  front  and  rear  could  be  traced  the  old  lines  of  what 
was  once  carefully  planted  shrubbery ;  and  one  or  two  sour 
orange-trees,  in  spite  of  neglect,  were  covered  with  ripened 
fruit.  The  fences  were  more  or  less  broken  down, — in 
fact,  every  thing  had  a  desolate  appearance. 

Some  half  mile,  in  the  rear,  were  twenty  partially 
finished  negro  cabins,  and  other  plantation  out-buildings. 
It  seemed  as  if  some  enterprising,  and  more  than  usually 
ambitious  person,  had  commenced  all  these  Costly  improve- 
ments, and  just  as  they  were  about  being  completed,  had 
suddenly  abandoned  them  to  destruction. 

Fenwick,  by  the  assistance  of  the  agent,  had  borrowed 
a  couple  of  horses  from  a  neighboring  plantation,  and  he 
and  Mildmay  rode  over  the  "  opened  land." 

They  were  gone  some  two  or  three  hours,  and  the  re- 
sult of  the  ride  had  left  upon  both  decidedly  a  favorable 
impression.  Fenwick  showed  how  little  work  it  would  be 
to  restore  things  to  tolerable  order,  and  how  in  a  year  or 
so,  Mildmay  could  have  a  place,  that  would  outvie  any 
thiuiT  he  had  ever  dreamt  of  in  his  native  Slate 


4G  THE  master's  house  ; 

Meanwhile,  an  overseer  from  an  adjoining  plantation 
had  come  over  to  see  what  was  going  on  ;  and  meeting  the 
agent,  and  learning  the  particulars,  he  went  in  pursuit  of 
Mildmay,  and  offered  his  services,  and  volunteered  any 
information  regarding  the  value  of  the  property.  This 
person  and  Fenwick  became  at  once  cosy  and  confidential, 
and  he  gave  not  only  a  history  of  the  plantation  in  ques- 
tion, but  also  of  the  country  round  about. 

It  would  seem  that  portions  of  it  had  been  opened 
many  years,  and  was  almost  entirely  occupied  by  wealthy 
people,  and  in  the  vicinity  were  living  some  of  the  most 
influential  men  in  the  country.  Except  in  "  high  water,"  it 
was  rather  an  out-of-the-way  place  ("which  was  all  the 
better  for  the  niggers"),  yet  near  to  New  Orleans, — free 
from  any  overflow  to  do  harm,  and  inexhaustible  in  fer- 
tility of  soil. 

Mildmay  listened,  and  took  down  the  names  of  the 
different  persons  who  would  naturally  be  his  neighbors ; 
made  every  possible  inquiry  of  the  facilities  of  society, — 
not  for  himself,  for  he  was  in  this  connection  thinking  of 
another,  and  rode  back  to  the  lonely-looking  mansion. 

Here  was  "  the  agent,"  a  sort  of  madcap  clerk  of  New 
Orleans,  who  combined  a  strange  mixture  of  business  tact 
and  knowledge  of  the  world,  and  particularly  of  the  world 
in  the  interior  of  Louisiana, — ^with  his  trunk  opened,  a  table- 
cloth spread  upon  the  ground,  and  a  most  substantial  dinner 
set  out,  of  boiled  ham,  chicken,  bread,  sardines,  pates,  and 
excellent  claret.  Tumblers  and  plates  he  had  borrowed 
from  the  clerk  of  the  steamer ;  and  all  the  party,  after 
Fenwick  and  Mildmay's  astonishment  had  been  expressed 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  47 

at  their  agent's  foresight,  sat  down  on  the  ground,  and 
made  a  hearty  meal,  and  with  a  better  appetite,  as  Mild- 
may  said,  "  than  he  had  ever  had  before  in  his  life." 

While  thus  engaged  discussing  their  rural  meal,  they 
observed  a  gentleman  approaching  on  horseback,  who  rode 
up,  and  dismounting  and  throwing  his  bridle-rein  into  the 
hollow  of  his  left  arm,  in  a  graceful  and  confident  manner, 
announced  that  his  name  was  Moreton,  and  that  he  was 
the  nearest  neighbor  to  Heritage  Place ;  that  he  had 
heard  from  the  captain  of  the  steamer  as  it  passed  up  the 
bayou,  that  two  gentlemen  had  stopped  for  the  purpose 
of  examining  the  place,  with  regard  to  making  a  purchase, 
and  that  he  had  instantly  rode  over  to  invite  the  gentle- 
men to  his  house,  where  he  should  be  happy  to  have  them 
remain  as  long  as  it  suited  their  pleasure. 

From  Mr.  Moreton,  Mildmay  learned  additional  par- 
ticulars relative  to  his  proposed  purchase,  but  declined  to 
accept  at  that  time,  the  invitation  to  visit,  whereupon  Mr. 
Moreton  hitched  his  horse  by  the  bridle  to  a  "  swinging 
limb,"  and  with  Mildmay  sat  down  on  the  trunk  of  a 
fallen  tree,  declaring  that  he  would  remain  until  the 
steamer  came  along. 

In  the  conversation  that  ensued,  Mildmay  determined 
in  his  own  mind  to  make  the  purchase  of  the  plantation. 
Mr.  Moreton  had  removed  every  possible  objection  he  could 
urge,  and,  with  this  feeling,  he  bid  that  gentleman  adieu, 
was  taken  up  by  the  passing  boat,  and  the  following  even- 
ing was  again  ensconced  in  his  city  hotel. 


48  THE  master's  house  ; 


CHAPTER  V. 

MAJOU    DIXON    AND    HIS    ALBUM. 

Major  Dixon,  who  showed  so  much  ability  and  dispo- 
sition to  serve  Mildmay  and  his  friend  Fenwick,  was  to 
superficial  observers  a  man  of  leisure,  and  of  the  class 
termed  gentlemen. 

Persons,  however,  who  studied  faces  with  success, 
would  have  discovered  something  rather  ecpivocal  about 
his  eyes,  for  by  a  curious  conformation  of  the  brow,  they 
were  ordinarily  almost  hidden  from  sight ;  but  let  Dixon 
look  a  person  full  in  the  face,  and  there  were  seen  shots  of 
fiery  red,  mingled  with  the  pure  blue,  which  suggested 
that  they  could  burn  as  if  filled  with  internal  fire. 

People  who  had  known  Dixon  for  years,  if  asked  to 
draw  his  character,  would  probably  never  have  agreed 
upon  any  leading  trait ;  for  he  possessed  the  ability  in  a 
remarkable  degree  of  not  only  being  all  things  to  all  men 
for  his  own  purposes,  but  he  could  be  the  exact  thing  to 
the  person  he  was  at  the  moment  with ;  and  if  Mildmay 
and  Fenwick  had  written  down  their  impressions  of  this 
man,  they  would  have  both  drawn  (haiaulers  a.s  suggesled 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  49 

by  their  individual  impressions,  and  that  wore  most  agree- 
able to  their  positions  as  strangers  in  the  "  Crescent  City." 

Dixon  was  a  man  of  first-rate  business  habits  and  ca- 
pacity. He  controlled  large  sums  of  money,  for  he  was 
secretly  connected  with  many  wealthy  men,  in  operations 
that  involved  great  outlays  of  capital ;  his  field  of  opera- 
tions was  confined  to  dealing  in  slaves, — in  common  par- 
lance, he  was  a  "  negro  trader."  Dixon  had  been,  by  long 
habit,  made  a  very  impersonation  of  his  business.  To 
people  of  his  own  color  he  was  often  generous, — never 
ofiensive  ;  but  for  the  negro  he  had  apparently  no  sympa- 
thy, no  feeling  whatever. 

Sometimes  for  months  together  Dixon  would  live  seem- 
ingly a  quiet  and  unexcited  life,  but  it  would  appear  from 
subsequent  acts,  that  these  calms  were  only  presages  of  a 
coming  excitement ;  and  as  his  business  gave  him  every 
facility  for  gratifying  his  passions  when  he  pleased  to  do  so, 
he  carried  every  thing  to  excess. 

The  appearance  of  a  negro  always  excited  Dixon's 
animosity ;  let  one  of  this  race  pass  him  accidentally  in  the 
street,  or  even  in  the  humblest  manner  address  him  "  as 
master,"  and  his  eyes  would  burn  with  indignation,  and 
his  hands  clutch  with  nervous  tremulousness. 

He  delighted  in  crushing  those  in  his  power,  when  they 
resisted,  and  yet  he  was  equally  savage  upon  those  who 
were  passive  to  his  will.  He  was  sometimes  awed  by  a 
negro  that  would  rather  die  than  submit,  but  he  was  never 
touched  by  the  most  heart-rending  appeals  for  mercy. 

The  reason  perhaps  of  his  dislike  to  the  negro,  inde- 
pendent of  the  feelings  necessarily  engendered  by  his 
3 


50  THE  master's  house  ; 

making  them  subjects  of  mei'cliandise,  was  the  conscious- 
ness he  had,  that  he  was  not  respected  even  by  those  who 
were  most  benefited  by  his  business ;  and  he  had  a  kind 
of  monomania,  that  his  degradation  in  the  social  scale  was 
owing  not  only  to  his  buying  and  selling  negroes,  but 
also  to  the  influence  of  public  opinion  exerted  on  the 
Southern  mind  by  the  people  of  the  North,  through  the 
sympathy  of  the  Federal  government :  consequently,  he 
hated  the  people  of  the  North,  and  the  Union,  with  a  bit- 
terness that  knew  no  bounds.  "  But  for" this  public  opinion 
of  the  '  Free  States,' "  he  would  sometimes  groan  through 
his  clenched  teeth,  "  my  calling  would  be  as  respectable 
as  any  man's ;  I  should  not  then  be  made  a  scapegoat  for 
the  sins  of  the  buyer,  or  be  compelled  to  see  myself 
shunned  and  avoided  by  really  good  people,  as  if  there 
were  contagion  in  my  touch." 

Yet,  although  the  thick  veU  of  insensibility  would  some- 
times be  partially  removed  from  Dixon's  conscience,  al- 
though he  would  for  moments  get  inklings  of  the  true  char- 
acter of  his  position  as  set  down  by  the  great  mass  of  the 
people,  these  feelings  only  had  the  effect  to  render  him 
more  callous  in  the  end,  for  they  were  ever  succeeded  by 
new  outrages  upon  his  hapless  victims,  and  by  an  accumu- 
lation of  renewed  hate  for  the  people  he  so  much  feared 
and  despised. 

"When  Dixon  saw  Mildmay  and  Fenwick,  he  at  once  un- 
derstood their  relation  and  purposes,  and  with  his  usual 
promptness  he  did  all  he  could  to  assist  them  in  their  con- 
templated purchase,  from  the  ulterior  object  of  their  proba- 
ble demand  upon  him  for  slaves. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHKHN    LIFE.  51 

He  was  intimately  acquainted  with  every  part  of  the 
country,  his  pursuits  favoring  a  most  perfect  knowledge  of 
the  best  lands,  and  the  most  wealthy  neighborhoods,  for  it 
was  only  in  such  places,  that  he  found  his  best  business 
customers. 

Near  to  Dixon's  hotel  was  his  "  depot."  Superficially, 
it  was  a  very  high  spiked  fence,  with  a  strong  door  in  the 
centre,  and  would  never  have  attracted  any  particular  notice 
of  the  stranger.  But  once  beyond  that  strong  door,  you 
Ibund  yourself  in  a  long  room,  perhaps  a  hundred  feet  in 
depth,  lighted  from  the  roof,  and  lined  on  either  side  by 
benches.  Here  Dixon  displayed  what  the  law  pronounced 
to  be  his  "  chattels." 

In  this  den  he  would  pace  up  and  down  among  his 
dependents,  and  fume  and  fret  "  that  he  could  not  expose 
his  merchandise  vmblushingly  in  the  streets,"  "  that  he 
could  not  hire  a  fine  store  in  the  most  exposed  thorough- 
fare, and  thrust  his  goods  into  the  windows  or  doors,  as  did 
the  merchant  who  sold  breastpins  or  calicoes." 

Here  it  was  that  he  gave  vent  to  his  wrath  at  the 
occasional  agitation  in  the  Corporation  Council  of  New 
Orleans  "as  to  the  propriety  of  banishing  'slave  marts'  to 
the  obscure  suburbs  of  the  city."  This  restraint — this 
eternal  spirit  of  opposition,  he  felt  to  be  like  an  incubus 
upon  him,  and  he  rebelled  at,  and  fretted  imder  it,  as  if  in 
harness,  and  he  believed  that  he  could  never  himself  be  free 
until  "  this  false  northern  public  sentiment,"  as  he  termed 
it,  "was  done  away,  until  no  one  was  permitted  in  the  South 
to  indulge  in  sickly  sentimental  notions  of  humanity." 

A  day  or  two  after  Dixon  met  Mildmay,  ho  went  to  his 


52  THE    MASTER  S    HOUSE  ; 

"  depot,"  as  lie  termed  it,  and  sitting  down  in  the  little 
office  inside  of  tlie  door,  he  took  a  scrap  of  paper  from  a 
plethoric-looking  purse,  and  laying  it  on  the  wooden  table 
before  him,  he  seemed  absorbed  in  a  profound  study. 

"  G-raham  Mildmay,"  said  he,  reading  from  the  paper, 
"  where  have  I  met  with  that  name  before?"  and  he  rested 
his  head  on  his  hand  as  if  in  the  very  strait  of  perplexity, 
and  wondered  where  was  his  factotum  Ben, 

Just  at  this  moment,  a  miserable-looking  wretch,  a 
white  man,  who  souietimes  helped  Ben  at  the  depot,  put 
his  head  in  at  the  office  door,  and  said  : 

"Major  Dixon,  that  'gent'  with  the  black  coat  and 
white  choker,  has  sent  the  girl  Lizzy  back," 

"  "What  for  ?  "  said  Dixon,  indenting  his  knuckles  into 
the  top  of  the  cypress  table. 

""V\Tiy,"  continued  the  deputy,  scratching  his  head,  "he 
says  he  thinks  she  takes  on  so  about  bein'  parted  from  her 
child,  that  she  won't  do." 

"  Send  Lizzy  here,"  retvirned  Dixon,  now  in  a  perfect 
fury;  and  he  growled,  "if  I'm  troubled  with  her  after 
to-morrow,  may  I  turn  into  a  snivelling  Yankee  peddler, 
and  earn  a  living  by  singing  psalms." 

The  girl  approached  the  dreaded  presence  of  the  negro 
trader,  evidently  convulsed  in  every  limb,  and  almost  speech- 
less with  fear. 

"  How  came  you  to  tell  that  hypocritical  canting  scoun- 
drel I  sold  you  to,  that  you  had  a  child  ?  " 

"  I  didn't  tell  him,  so  help  me  God !"  said  the  girl,  ready 
to  fall  on  the  floor. 

"  You  either  lie,  ur  you  went  snivelling  about  the  house," 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIERjr    LIFE.  53 

said  Dixon,  suddenly  elianging  liis  manner,  and  ligliting  up 
Lis  face  with  a  smile. 

"  I  said  nothing,  did  nothing,  but  try  to  please ;  for  I 
didn't  want  to  come  back  here,  Master  Dixon,"  said  the 
girl  with  emotion. 

"  Well,"  returned  Dixon,  with  a  calm  and  agreeable 
Toice,  "  go  out  in  the  hall,  my  dear,  and  to-night  I  will  give 
you  such  a  dressing,  that  afterwards,  if  I  sell  you  to  a  sau- 
sage-maker you  will  cry  to  be  cut  up  into  mince  meat  before 
you  will  come  back  again  on  my  hands ;  "  and  thus  deliver- 
ing himself,  Dixon  waved  the  girl  to  retire,  and  biting  off 
a  huge  piece  of  tobacco,  he  took  up  the  before  alluded  to 
bit  of  paper,  and  soliloquized, — '*  Where  have  I  met  with 
the  name  of  Graham  Mildmay?" 

At  this  moment,  a  well  dressed,  and  rather  pleasant- 
faced  man  came  into  Dixon's  presence,  and  pulling  up  a 
chair  and  throwing  his  feet  upon  the  table,  he  asked  : 

"  Dixon,  what's  the  row?" 

"  Why,  the  fact  is,  Ben,"  said  Dixon,  as  if  perplexed, 
"I  have  met  a  young  planter  at  my  hotel,  that's  come  out 
here  from  North  Carolina  to  buy  a  place.  He's  got  money, 
and  seems  to  be  a  clever  and  sharp  chap,  and  I'm  thinking 
I've  heard  his  name  before,  but  when,  where,  or  how,  I  can't 
tell." 

Now  "  Ben  "  was  Dixon's  confidential  clerk,  and  business 
man  when  Dixon  was  away.  Ben  was  understood  by  half 
the  town  to  own  the  depot.  It  was  Ben  who  did  all  the  ne- 
farious work  of  the  establishment,  the  trading,  and,  as  he  said, 
"  the  lying  and  smartness  of  the  whole  concern,"  for  Dixon 
did  very  little  in  New  Orleans  openly,  beyond  signing  title 


54  THK  master's  house  ; 

papers  and  receiptiBg  for  money.  Witli  this  intimate  con- 
nection vritli  Dixon,  it  is  easy  to  see  that  he  at  once  became 
interested  in  Mildmay. 

"  What  do  you  want  to  do  for  him  ?  "  said  Ben,  refer- 
ring to  Mildmay,  and  appearing  anxious  to  get  the  cue. 

"Why,  I  want  to  do  him  a  favor,"  said  Dixon,  frown- 
ing at  the  apparent  insinuation  that  any  thing  else  was  in- 
tended. "He's  good  next  spring  for  twenty  hands  more 
than  he's  got,  and  I  want  to  show  him  that  I'm  his  friend, 
and  in  that  way  secure  a  sale." 

"  Maybe  he's  got  a  runaway  out,"  said  Ben. 

"That's  just  it,"  said  Dixon,  brightening  up,  "here,"  he 
continued,  "hand  me  down  my  'Free  Sile  Album,'  perhaps 
I  can  find  out  all  about  it." 

Ben,  as  requested,  got  on  a  chair,  and  from  a  wide 
shelf  very  near  the  low  ceiling,  he  pulled  out  what  appear- 
ed to  have  been  a  merchant's  ledger,  and  opening  it  on  the 
table,  displayed  the  once  fairly  written  pages  covered  over 
with  innumerable  scraps,  evidently  cut  from  the  columnsof 
newspapers. 

This  "Free  Sile  Album,"  as  Dixon  called  it,  was  per- 
haps the  best  evidence  in  the  world,  that  could  be  given, 
to  show  how  systematic  he  had  been  in  carrying  on  his  busi- 
ness. There  at  a  glance  could  be  seen,  every  published 
account  of  runaway  negroes,  who  had  escaped  to  the  North 
or  Canada,  for  the  last  fifteen  years. 

By  the  means  of  this  book,  Dixon  had  a  very  clear 
idea  of  the  whereabouts  of  many  fugitives,  and  with  the 
assistance  of  spies,  and  occasionally  his  own  interference, 
he  made  unaccounted-for    "  captures,"  and  frequently  by 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIERX    LIFE.  55 

buying,  as  lie  expressed  it,  "  a  nigger  running,"  lie  got 
great  bargains  at  little  cost. 

Ben  turned  over  the  pages  carefully,  and  at  Dixon's 
suggestion,  endeavored  to  find,  assorted  with  the  runaways 
mentioned,  the  name  of  Mildmay. — Dixon,  meanwhile,  sit- 
ting by  as  if  still  uncertain  where  the  name  occurred; 
finally,  Ben  looked  up,  and  said,  "  Here's  something  most 
like  it." 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  inquired  Dixon. 

"  Why,  '  Mayfield,'  "  said  Ben,  decisively. 

"  That's  nd'ar  the  name ;  read  what  it  says,"  directed 
Dixon,  whereupon  Ben  commenced  as  follows  : — 

"  '  On  last  Saturday  morning  a  little  company,  consist- 
ing of  six  fugitives  from  the  land  of  handcufi's  and  cow- 
hides, landed  at  this  station  of  the  under-ground  railroad. 
They  were  formerly  kept  and  worked  as  the  property  of 
the  Eev.  Mr.  Mayfield,  near  Memphis,  in  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee. On  the  same  day  fifteen  more  came  in  the  express 
train  of  the  above  road.  These  last  were  mostly  able- 
bodied  men  from  Missouri,  cruelly  held  and  treated  as 
property,  by  people  otherwise  respectable,  and  some  claim- 
ing to  be  followers  of  Christ  our  Saviour,  who  died  for 
all.'  " 

"  That'll  do,  Ben,"  said  Dixon,  rising  up  from  his 
seat,  and  whirling  round  on  his  feet,  perfectly  red  with 
anger — "  that'll  do ;  who  wants  to  hear  such  infernal 
stufi'  as  that,  I'd  like  to  know  ?  That  comes  from  hav- 
ing '  free  States,'  cuss  'em !  Fugativcs  from  the  land  of 
handcufi's  and  cowhides !  IIkto's  another  slander  on  the 
South." 


56  THE  master's  house  ; 

"  Well,  there's  no  use  getting  mad  about  it,"  said 
Ben,  -who  had  no  other  fear  of  Dixon,  than  self-interest 
dictated.  "  Maybe  you'd  like  another  varse  or  two ;  if  so, 
here  goes." 

"  No,  you  needn't,"  said  Dixon,  cooling  off.  "  I  be- 
lieve I  remember  the  sarcumstance,  the  nigger  was  off  a 
long  time  I  suspect,  before  his  arrival  was  published  ;  let 
me  see." 

"  Now  what  is  the  use  of  that  'ere  book  ?"  asked  Ben, 
handing  it  over  to  Dixon,  as  if  he  was  glad  to  get  clear 
of  it. 

"  Not  much  use,"  returned  Dixon,  "  not  much  use ; 
but  maybe  you'd  be  astonished  if  I  tell  you,  I  made  my 
'  Black  River  cotton  farm'  off  of  that  very  book." 

"  Oh,  you're  joking,"  said  Ben,  with  an  incredulous  air. 

"  Fact,  nevertheless,"  said  Dixon,  looking  up  with 
complacency.  "  You  see,  Ben.  you'll  never  make  mocey 
until  you  keep  books.  Now,  since  I've  been  in  business 
for  myself,  and  afore  that  too,  when  I  saw  a  notice  of  a  run- 
away in  a  newspaper,  crowing  over  his  freedom,  I  cut  him 
out,  and  pasted  him  in  here ;  it  don't  cost  much  time, 
nor  flour,  and  it  finally  gave  me  all  the  money  I  made  my 
start  with.  You  see  that  'ere  notice,"  continued  Dixon, 
pointing  to  a  particular  scrap,  "  that  'ere  notice  marked 
over  with  a  pen,  '$1000.  " 

Ben  reached  his  head  out  of  his  coat  collar,  and  said, 
"  he  did." 

"  The  particulars  of  making  that  'ere  cool  thousand  off 
a  nigger  barber,  named  Hector,  that  got  from  Washington 
to  Canada,  is  very  affecting. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  67 

"  So  much  money  as  that ! "  said  Ben,  more  astonished 
at  the  speculation  in  a  pecuniary  way,  than  at  the  affecting 
incidents. 

"  Sure,"  said  Dixon,  "  and  no  mistake  ;  but  that's  no- 
thing," he  continued,  in  an  excessive  good  humor;  "that 
book,  as  I  said,  has  nearly  paid  for  my  *  Black  River  place,' 
and  them  very  little  dirty  scraps,  and  the  Fugitive  Slave 
Law  has  put  money  in  my  pocket,  like  finding  it  in  a 
gutter." 

"  Fact  ?  "  said  Ben,  looking  over  the  magical  items,  as 
if  he  fancied  he  could  see  them  turning  to  gold  or  bank 
checks. 

"  Fact !  "  echoed  Dixon;  "  yes,  more  than  fact,  they've 
been  money  and  fun  besides,  for  I  have  not  only,  by  the 
aid  of  that  book,  jerked  up  a  dozen  niggers  from  the  free 
States  in  a  year,  but  I  have  made  the  abolition  scoundrels 
howl  like  hyenas,  when  they  saw  me  and  the  '  spread 
eagle  '  on  their  tracks."  , 

"  That  must  have  been  fun,"  said  Ben,  rather  in  a 
voice  of  irony. 

"  It  was  fun,  fun  alive  !  "  continued  Dixon,  with  enthu- 
siasm, "for,"  he  continued,  in  his  excitement,  "  it  gave  me  the 
only  satisfaction  I  ever  had  in  my  life  out  of  those  enemies 
of  the  South,"  and  having  thus  uttered  his  sentiments,  he 
fell  to  carefully  examining  the  pages  of  the  book. 


68  THE  master's  house  ; 


CHAPTER  VI. 

BEN  READS  THE  STORY  OF  CHARLES  BROADNAX. 

DixoN^  having  been  born  in  a  State  where  there  were  no 
public  schools,  his  early  education  had  been  lamentably 
neglected ;  he  was  a  man  grown  before  he  knew  his  letters, 
and,  although  he  had  after  that  time  shown  his  usual  de- 
termination of  character,  in  acquiring  to  read  and  write, 
still  he  was  an  imperfect  scholar,  and  made  a  stumbling 
display  when  he  attempted  to  give  a  listener  an  idea  of 
the  meaning  of  a  printed  paragraph,  so  that  when  his  eye 
finally  fell  upon  the  very  item  he  was  looking  for,  he 
handed  the  "  Album "  to  Ben,  and  told  him  to  read  it 
out,  Dixon  at  the  same  time  picking  uj)  a  piece  of  pine 
wood  that  was  lying  on  the  floor,  and  taking  out  a  loug- 
bladed  dirk-knife,  commenced  to  whittle. 

Ben  took  the  "  Album,"  and  with  a  sort  of  comical 
gravity,  squared  himself  in  his  chair,  and  commenced  to 
read  as  follows  : — 

"'Interesting  account  of  a  Fugative.'" 
"  That's  the  beginning  of  the  article,  isn't  it?"  asked 
Dixon,  pressing  his  knife  deeply  into  the  pine  splinter  in 
his  hand. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTUERK    LIFE.  59 

"  Yes,"  said  Ben,  "  that's  the  beginning,  don't  you  see 
it  is  ?     '  Interesting  account  of  a  fugative.'  " 

"  Well,  go  on,"  said  Dixon,  impatiently. 

"  Look  here,  Major  Dixon,"  said  Ben,  putting  the  Al- 
bum down  in  his  lap, — "  do  you  want  me  to  read  the  whole 
of  this  'ere  interesting  article  ?  " 

"  Yes,  every  bit  of  it,"  returned  Dixon,  in  the  pure 
spirit  of  contrariety. 

"  Very  well,"  said  Ben,  again  edging  into  the  best  pos- 
sible position  for  comfort,  "  here  goes, 

"  '  Interesting  account  of  a  fugative.'  " 

"  You  needn't  read  that  line  again,"  said  Dixon,  grow- 
ing perfectly  "  feruchus." 

Ben's  eyes  twinkled  with  mischief,  but  he  said  nothing, 
and  went  on. 

"  '  On  a  cold  winter  night  of  the  year  18 — ,  a  negro 
man,  evidently  suffering  from  hunger,  and  poorly  clad, 
knocked  at  the  door  of  a  modest-looking  cottage  on  the 
edge  of  our  town.  It  was,  considering  the  habits  of  our 
people,  quite  late,  being  after  ten  o'clock.'  " 

"  And  where  about  was  that  to^vn?"  incj[uired  Dixon,  his 
face  filled  with  disgust. 

"  I  suspect,"  said  Ben,  looking  along  the  page,  "  that 
it  was  Stonyville,  Vermont,  for  it's  tuck  from  the  Stony- 
ville  (Vermont)  Gazette."     Ben  continued : 

"  '  A  benevolent-looking,  middle-aged  woman  opened 
the  door,  and  seeing  the  dark  and  care-worn  foce  of  a  ne- 
gro, staring  upon  her,  she  uttered  a  scream  of  surprise, 
and  dropped  the  candlestick  she  held  in  her  hand  upon  the 
floor.     In  another  instant  a  gentleman  was  at  the  lady's 


60  THE  master's  house  ; 

side,  and  inquired,  "  "Wife,  wliat  is  the  matter  ?  "  the  lady- 
pointed  to  the  negro,  who  now,  in  turn,  became  filled  with 
trepidation,' " 

"What's  the  meaning  of  'trepidation?'"  inquired 
Dixon,  suspending  his  whittling. 

"  Kind  of  a  scear,"  said  Ben,  with  dignity. 

"  '  The  moment  the  gentleman  saw  the  object  of  sur- 
prise, he  stepped  in  front  of  the  lady,  and  promptly  de- 
manded the  reason  of  this  unseasonable  interruption,'  " 

"  I'd  a  hit  him  in  his  infernal  black  face ! "  said 
Dixon,  with  impatience. 

"  Perhaps,"  said  Ben,  again  laying  down  the  book  in 
his  lap  (for  in  his  peculiar  way  he  took  great  pleasure  in 
annoying  Dixon),  "  perhaps  you  don't  want  to  hear  the 
rest  of  this  'ere  nigger  novel." 

"  Yes,  I  do,"  said  Dixon,  emphaticaUyj  for  it  was  one 
of  his  peculiarities  of  liking  to  be  annoyed  by  those  very 
kind  of  items.  It  appeared  to  give  him  pleasure  in  stimu- 
lating his  hatred  of  the  places  and  sentiments  that  gave 
them  birth.    Ben  went  on  : 

"  '  The  negro  replied  that  he  was  nearly  perished  with 
the  cold,  and  was  almost  starved  to  death,  and  after  con- 
siderable cross-questioning,  acknowledged  that  he  was  a 
runaway  from  the  South,  which  last  remark  affected  deeply 
the  sympathy  of  Mr.  Pendleton,  for  such  was  the  gentle- 
man's name,  and  he  asked  the  negro  into  the  kitchen,  and 
with  his  amiable  wife,  set  about  relieving  the  wants  of  the 
poor  fugitive.' " 

''  There,"  said  Dixon,  blazing  with  wrath,  and  driving 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIKUN    LIFE.  61 

his  knife  an  inch,  at  least  into  the  top  of  the  table  before 
him. 

"  There's  northern  rascality ;  that's  for  being  fastened 
on  to  the  free  States.  Lord  !  how  I  wish  we  could  get  to 
blows,  I'd  like  to  stop  the  wind  of  such  a  fellow  as  that 
Pendleton." 

"  But  there's  too  many  of  'em,"  said  Ben,  keeping  his 
eyes  deeply  riveted  on  the  printed  document  before  him, 

Dixon  ground  his  knife  around  with  his  hand,  and  told 
Ben  to  go  on,  and  that  gentleman  continued : — 

"  '  The  poor  negro  was  shiveringwith  cold,  and  it  seem- 
ed as  if  he  would  embrace  the  stove,  when  he  felt  the  pleas- 
ant glow  of  wai-mth  it  sent  through  his  benumbed  frame.' " 

"  I  could  have  warmed  that  nigger  up,  without  a  stove," 
suggested  Dixon,  in  a  philosophical  manner. 

Ben  pretended  to  be  very  much  amused  indeed,  and 
went  on. 

"■ '  Mr.  Pendleton  felt  satisfied  that  the  negro  told  the 
truth  about  having  escaped  from  bondage,  and  was  further 
confirmed  in  the  fact,  because  the  negro,  against  Mr.  Pen- 
dleton's wishes,  would  address  him  as  Master.'  " 

"  Now  what  do  you  think  of  that  ?  "  inquired  Dixon, 
his  face  eloquent  with  contempt. 

"  Think  of  what  ?"  asked  Ben,  honestly  at  a  loss. 

"  Why,  of  that  fellow  Pendleton's  telling  that  nigger  not 
to  call  him  master." 

"  I  think,"  said  Ben,  imitating  Dixon's  manner  and  voice, 
"  that  Pendleton  was  a  chuckle-headed  ass  ;  "  and  he  pro- 
ceeded : — 

"  <  The  negro,  when  he  discovered  that  Mr.  Pendleton 


62  THE  master's  house  ; 

knew  he  was  from  the  South,  begged  that  he  should  not  be 
taken  back  to  his  owner,  which  Mr.  Pendleton  promised,  so 
far  as  he  was  concerned, should  not  be  done.'" 

"  Now  look  at  that,"  said  Dixon,  perfectly  calm  with 
amazement,  "  look  at  that  Pendleton,  disobeying  the  laws 
of  the  land,  and  violating  the  sacred  constitution,  by  re- 
fusing to  send  a  negro  back  to  his  owner,  and  calling  him- 
self a  Christian,  perhaps;  for  them  Yankees  all  go  to 
church." 

"  And  don't  you  think  he  was  Christian  ?  "  inquired  Ben. 

"  A  Christian,"  replied  Dixon,  his  voice  full  of  scorn, 
"  do  you  think  that  a  thief  can  be  a  Christian  ?  Why,  that 
'ere  Pendleton  would  have  been  sent  to  the  Penitentiary 
for  keeping  a  runaway  horse  worth  fifty  dollars,  and  yet  he 
don't  mind  swindling  a  southern  man  out  of  a  nigger  worth 
a  thousand." 

Now  Ben  was  very  slow  of  comprehension  on  certain 
subjects  that  deeply  interested  Dixon,  and  as  he  never  could, 
probably  from  the  defects  of  his  early  education,  exactly 
confound  a  man  and  an  animal  together,  he  returned  to  his 
book  and  read  : — 

"  '  The  negro  was  accommodated  with  lodgings  that  night, 
and  the  next  day,  by  the  kindness  of  Mr.  P.  and  other  citi- 
zens, he  got  employment,  and  very  soon  established  a  char- 
acter for  honesty  and  industry. 

"It  would  be  interesting,  if  we  had  time,  to  trace  the 
history  of  this  fugitive  slave  year  after  year  in  his  north- 
ern home,  and  mark  the  rapid  improvement  made  in  intel- 
ligence and  usefulness.  In  six  months  time  he  learned  to 
read  quite  fluently,  and  soon  arranging  his  varied  experi- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  03 

ence,  it  was  found  he  had  naturally  a  strong  and  ■well-bal- 
auced  mind,  and  ilnlike  most  of  his  race,  ho  was  frugal,  and 
took  pleasure  in  saving  money. 

"By  the  advice  of  Mr  Pendleton,  he  hired  a  small 
house,  and  opened  a  little  store,  for  the  disposal  of  such 
nicknacks  as  he  was  able  to  procure,  and  finally  he  started 
what  was  much  needed  in  Stoneyvillc,  a  barber's  shop.  In 
this  new  character,  Charles,  for  such  was  his  name,  really 
had  the  head-quarters  of  news  under  lock  and  key,  and  his 
shop  kept  so  neat  and  clean  in  summer,  and  so  warm  and 
snug  in  winter,  was  a  favorite  with  all,  while  every  one  ad- 
mitted that  the  negro  was  a  model  of  good  manners,  and 
respectful  bearing.' " 

''  Well,  he  got  his  manners  in  the  South,"  said  Dixon, 
putting  an  enormous  piece  of  tobacco  in  his  mouth. 

"  '  At  the  close  of  the  third  year  of  his  living  in  Stoney- 
ville,"  continued  Ben,  without  noticing  Dixon's  interrup- 
tion, "  Charles  met  a  well-behaved  young  woman  of  his  own 
color  and  unmarried,  and  as  he  had  established  a  good  char- 
acter in  the  mean  time  as  a  member  of  the  church,  he  was 
married  by  the  resident  pastor,  being  previously  baptized 
by  his  request,  with  the  surname  of  Broadnax.' " 

"  And  what  does  all  that  mean?"  inquired  Dixon,  get- 
ting confused  with  the  details. 

"  Why,"  said  Ben,  "  he  was  married  as  Charles  Broad- 
nax." 

"  *  At  last,'  continued  Ben  to  read,  '  the  old  sexton  of 
the  "  first  church  "  in  Stoneyville  died,  and  Charles  was 
unanimously  elected  to  the  ofiice  of  taking  care  of  the  sacred 


64  THE  master's  house  ; 

edifice,  the  duties  of  wliicli  he  filled  to  the  satisfaction  of 
every  one.' " 

"  Look  here,"  said  Ben,  putting  the  book  down  in  his 
lap,  and  taking  a  long  breath,  "  Major,  if  you  don't  put  in 
a  word  as  I  go  along,  I  shan't  read." 

"  And  haven't  you  finished  ?"  said  Dixon,  leaning  over  to- 
wards Ben,  his  eyes  wide  open  with  interest. 
"  No,  there's  another  short  item." 
"  Well,  read  it,"  said  Dixon  earnestly,  "  for  you  haven't 
come  to  the  part  I  want  to  hear." 

"  Well,  here  goes,"  said  Ben,  resuming  the  narrative. 
"  '  We  have  published  this  very  interesting  account  of 
Charles  Broadnax,  as  a  refutation  of  the  common  charge 
that  negroes  cannot  become  useful  citizens.  This  man,  this 
Christian,  admits  that  until  his  old  master,  William  Mild- 
may,  died,  a  gentleman  Charles  speaks  of  in  the  highest 
respect,  that  he  was  happy  and  contented;  butthat, put  un- 
der the  charge  of  a  brutal  and  irresponsible  overseer,  he 
was  compelled  to  escape.' " 

By  the  time  Ben  got  thus  far,  Dixon  started  from  his 
seat,  and  dancing  around  the  table,  something  as  Indians 
do  about  a  bloody  scalp,  he  told  Ben  he  needn't  read  any 
farther,  that  he  had  found  out  all  that  he  wanted  to  know, 
and  that  he  could  put  the  precious  book  out  of  sight. 

Ben,  who  was  really  fatigued,  readily  obeyed,  and  turn- 
ing to  Dixon,  he  said  : 

"  So,  you  think  Charles  Broadnax,  esquire,  belongs  to 
the  young  man  Mildmay,  at  the  hotel  ?  " 

Dixon  leaned  down  on  the  table,  made  a  few  hiero- 
glyphic marks  on  a  piece  of  paper,  then  clapped  his  hat  on 


A    TALK    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  65 

his  head,  and  giving  Ben  a  knowing  look,  he  left  "the 
depot,"  and  walked  i-apidly  up  the  street. 

As  Dixon  had  anticipated  when  he  left  his  "pen,"  he 
found  Mildmay  in  the  rotunda  of  the  hotel,  quietly  smoking 
a  cigar,  and  walking  up  and  saluting  him,  as  was  his  cus- 
tom when  talking  to  planters,  he  took  a  seat  at  a  respectful 
distance,  and  commenced  conversation. 

Dixon  artfully  approached  his  object,  and  led  the  un- 
suspecting Mildmay  on  from  one  point  to  another  so  in- 
geniously, that  he  unfolded  his  business  of  slave-dealer 
without  exciting  in  his  hearer  any  particular  emotion. 

This  once  accomplished,  the  advantages  of  the  purchase 
of  "  Heritage  Place  "  were  discussed,  and  Mildmay  finally 
learned  with  surprise,  that  Dixon  himself  had  a  plantation 
in  the  neighborhood,  and  that  he,  Dixon,  contemplated  in 
another  year,  "  that  he  might  possibly  give  up  any  active 
participation  in  '  his  negro-trading  business,'  and  settle 
down  quietly  on  his  farm." 

From  Dixon,  Mildmay  learned  the  best  way  of  getting 
his  slaves  on  to  Louisiana ;  it  was  decided  that  he  should 
bring  them  on  to  Washington,  in  the  District  of  Columbia, 
and  there  keep  them  until  a  vessel  sailed  directly  to  New 
Orleans,  from  which  point,  they  could  without  difficulty 
reach  their  final  place  of  destination.  At  length,  Dixon 
reached  the  subject  for  the  moment  nearest  his  heart. 

"  I  think,"  said  he.  in  a  careless  voice,  and  apparently 
about  to  leave,  "that  you  have,  Mr.  Mildmay,  a  runaway 
somewhere  in  the  East." 

"  Not  that  1  know  of,"  said  the  young  man,  without  dis- 
playing any  interest. 


66  THE  master's  house; 

"I  tliink  I  have  heard  somewhere,"  continued  Dixon, 
"  of  a  negro  boy,  called  Charles,  that  belonged  to  a  person 
of,  your  name,  — •  that  runaway  is  probably  at  this  time 
suffering,  as  all  them  runaways  do,  from  hunger  and  cold. 
I  tell  you,  sir,"  said  Dixon,  "  a  negro  has  a  hard  time  of  it 
at  the  North  in  winter ;  "  and  he  assumed  a  sympathizing 
look. 

"  A  negro  certainly  thrives  best  in  a  warm  climate," 
said  Mildmay ;  evidently  to  Dixon's  annoyance,  not  think- 
ing of  the  runaway. 

"  Here's  the  facts,"  said  Dixon,  taking  out  a  scrap  of 
paper  from  his  pocket ;  "  a  negro  boy,  named  Charles, 
some  years  ago  escaped  from  Washington,  and  is  now  liv- 
ing in  the  North;  he  says  he  belonged  to  William  Mild- 
may," — and  Dixon  gave  the  best  emphasis  that  he  was 
capable  of  to  the  name. 

Graham  started  with  surprise  ;  "  William  Mildmay," 
said  he,  with  emotion,  "  was  my  father's  name — what  is  it 
that  you  connect  it  with  ?  " 

"  Simply,"  said  Dixon,  with  great  coolness,  "  that  ho 
was  unfortunate  in  being  robbed  by  them  inifernal  North- 
eners,  of  a  good  nigger." 

"  The  accident  of  having  a  runaway,  sir,"  said  Mild- 
may, with  considerable  sternness,  "  is  a  result  of  a  thou- 
sand causes  which  I  care  not  to  discuss.  Now  I  remem- 
ber it,  I  have  noticed  upon  the  old  plantation  record,  that 
a  boy  is  set  down  as  having  run  away  while  hired  out ;  but 
it  was  many  years  ago,  and  I  have  never  heard  it  other- 
wise alluded  to  before." 

"Wouldn't  you  like  to  get  him  back?"  said  Dixon, 


A   TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  6Y 

pretending  to  choke  at  the  instant,  to  keep  Mildmay  from 
seeing  the  expression  of  his  face. 

"  I  can't  say  that  I  would,"  replied  Mildmay,  relapsing 
into  an  indifferent  mood.  "  You  know.  Major  DLxon, 
that  it  is  a  proverb  among  planters,  '  that  a  recaptured 
runaway  is  unfit  to  associate  with  slaves.'  I  don't  remem- 
ber of  ever  hearing  of  one  that  the  owner  would  have 
back  as  a  gift." 

"  But  suppose,  sir,  that  the  boy  was  discontented, — 
suppose  he  knew  that  you  had  taken  possession  of  your 
property,  and  wanted  to  come  back ;  what  would  you  do 
then?" 

"  If  such  were  the  fact,"  said  Mildmay  speculatively, 
"  why  perhaps  he  might  be  a  good  servant, — especially  as 
he  did  not  run  off  until  my  father  died." 

"  Exactly,"  said  Dixon,  "  that's  just  it ;  but  when  he 
knows  that  he  could  come  home,  and  live  with  you,  why, 
wouldn't  it  be  cruel  not  to  let  him  ?" 

"  I  might,"  returned  Mildmay,  "  then  make  a  sacrifice 
of  my  judgment,  and  receive  him ;  but  such  improbable 
circumstances  I  think  never  will  occur." 

"  Would  you  be  willing  that  I  should  bring  him  to 
you,  if  I  should  meet  him  ?"  pursued  Dixon,  pressing  the 
matter  with  increasing  earnestness. 

"  You  can  do  as  you  please,  sir,"  said  Mildmay  ;  then 
Jiesitating  a  moment,  he  continued,  "  If  I  found  the  boy 
troublesome  or  discontented,  I  could  certainly  let  him  go 
again." 

"  Certainly  you  can,"  said  Dixon ;  and  making  this 
remark,  he  bowed  gracefully,  and  returned  to  his  depot. 


68  THE  master's  house; 

Mildmay,  who  had  received  mucli  valuable  business  in- 
formation from  Dixon,  relative  to  bis  future  plans,  bad 
continued  tbe  conversation  about  Cbarles  out  of  respect  to 
Dixon's  seemingly  earnest  desire  to  talk,  and  not  from 
any  interest  or  real  knowledge  of  what  was  tbe  con- 
strued import  of  bis  langviage ;  yet  wben  Dixon  and  Mild- 
may  separated,  tbe  negro  trader  assumed  tbat  be  bad 
Mildmay's  authority  to  arrest  Cbarles,  if  be  could  find 
bim,  and  bring  bim  on  to  Heritage  Place,  wbile  Mildmay 
bimself  could  not  have  conceived  any  tbiug  farther  from 
bis  thoughts. 

A  few  days  only  elapsed  before  Mildmay,  much  to 
Fenwick's  satisfaction,  bad  completed  the  proposed  pur- 
chase. By  a  train  of  fortunate  circumstances,  he  believed 
be  had  secured  a  great  bargain,  which  opinion  was  con- 
firmed by  subsequent  examination.  The  arrangements 
having  been  fully  completed,  Fenwick  was  desirous  of  hur- 
rying away ;  and  finding  Mildmay  disposed  to  carry  out 
bis  desire  to  visit  the  surrounding  country,  he  took  from 
his  employer  some  general  directions,  and  rapidly  pursued 
bis  way  to  bis  old  home,  to  make  preparations  for  tbe  con- 
templated removal  to  Heritage  Place. 


A   TALE    OF    SOUTIIEKN    LIFE.  69 


CHAPTER  VII. 


A   VAKIETT    OF    IXCIDEXTS. 


The  difficulties  attending  the  removal  of  Mildmay's  "  force  " 
from  the  "  old  homestead,"  seemed  to  him  at  times  to  be 
almost  insurmountable.  His  original  intention  was  to 
send  the  stoutest  of  his  men  under  the  care  of  Fenwick  to 
Ptichmond,  and  then  send  them  by  sea  to  New  Orleans  ;  but 
the  negroes  expressed  the  utmost  horror  at  being  separated, 
and  as  he  found  it  impossible  to  make  them  understand  that 
they  were  all  to  meet  again  in  Louisiana,  he  determined 
at  whatever  cost  and  trouble  it  might  be,  to  keep  them 
all  together,  and  personally  superintend  their  exodus. 

For  several  days  the  negroes  were  busy  getting  to- 
gether "  their  plunder,"  and  it  was  with  some  reluctance 
that  they  abandoned  their  rude  tables,  broken  chairs,  and 
clumsy  hen-coops,  when  informed  that  they  were  too  cum- 
brous for  exportation;  and  nothing,  perhaps,  would  have 
reconciled  them  to  their  loss,  had  they  not  discovered  that 
their  master  sot  them  the  example,  by  discarding  every- 
thing not  positively  necessary  for  the  long  journey  before 
them. 


70  THE    MASTERS   HOUSE  ; 

Milclmay  discharged  his  duties,  however,  "with  spirit ; 
he  had  very  little  local  attachment  for  his  birth-place,  and 
but  for  the  fact  that  the  vicinity  was  hallowed  by  the 
memory  of  his  parents,  he  would  have  left  with  scarce  a 
lingering  look  behind.  Beside,  the  rich  lands  of  Heri- 
tage Place,  their  growth  of  gigantic  magnolias,  live-oak, 
and  their  teeming,  abundance,  contrasted  strangely  bright 
with  the  worn-out,  and  originally  sterile,  soil  of  his  native 
State. 

Governor  was  the  oracle  among  the  negroes ;  he  had 
accompanied  his  master  in  his  travels,  and  he  alone  of  all 
his  fellow-servants  could  give  information  as  to  what  they 
were  to  expect  in  the  future ;  and  half  the  long  nights 
would  he  sit  in  the  quarters,  with  an  anxiously  listening 
group  of  sable  faces  and  staring  eyes  about  him,  and  detail 
the  wealth  and  magnificence  that  he  witnessed  "  way-down 
upon  the  Mississippi." 

Governor,  in  his  official  communications,  was  particu- 
larly eloquent  about  the  growth  of  cotton,  and  ^patiated 
upon  it  with  never-tiring  pertinacity. 

"  You  don't  have  to  get  down  on  your  knees,  niggers," 
said  he  one  evening,  in  his  exaggerated  mood,  "  to  hunt 
up  cotton  bolls,  as  you  do  on  dis  North  Carolina  farm. 
Down  in  Louziany  de  cotton  jist  walks  up  so  high,  you 
can't  reach  it  widout  a  ladder." 

Several  old  "pickers"  shook  their  heads  doubtingly, 
while  the  young  and  inexperienced  shouted  with  ecstasy. 

"  And  how  much  does  de  niggers  down  dar  pick 
a-day  ?"  significantly  asked  a  doubting  "  Tom." 

"  Oh,  dey  don't  hurt  'cmselves  much  at  work,"  said 


oA    3 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIiEUN    LIFBi.   •i^        _^         H^ 


$ 

Goveruor,  laughing  boisterously  at  his  own  wit^  "  dey  just 
pick  until  dey  leab  oflF,  and  de  rest  of  the  tinle  dey  hunt 
possums." 

"  Bless  God  for  dat ! "  said  a  piously  disposed  field 
hand  ;  "  bless  God  for  fat  possum  ! " 

"  But  how's  de  sweet  tater  crap  down  dar  ?  "  inquired 
an  old  servant-of-all-work,  but  more  especially  of  the 
kitchen  garden. 

"  De  fact  is,"  said  Governor,  solemnly,  a  degree  of  sec- 
tional pride  rising  in  his  bosom,  "  de  fact  is,  men  ob  color, 
dat  de  old  '  North  State,'  as  dey  call  dis  place,  can  just 
beat  de  world  cl'ar,  for  '  sweet  taters,' " 

A  smile  of  the  most  intense  satisfaction  passed  over 
the  faces  of  Governor's  auditory,  and  Jack  was  so  over- 
come with  joy,  apparently,  at  this  instance  of  local  supe- 
riority, that  he  fell  over  backwards  in  his  delight,  and 
kicked  Governor's  bench  from  under  him,  both  coming  to- 
gether on  the  ground. 

This  brought  the  conference  to  an  end,  and  Governor, 
making  many  impotent  threats  of  vengeance  upon  Jack's 
head,  left  in  disgust. 

"  Aint  dat  mighty  hard  case,  to  hab  no  sweet  taters 
down  whar  master's  gwuae  !"  groaned  the  matter-of-fact 
Tom,  and  suddenly  impressed  with  an  idea  of  vast  import- 
ance to  his  mind,  he  hallooed  after  the  retreating  Governor. 

"  Does  dey  done  hab  pme  knots  down  dar  whar  mas- 
ter's gwine  ?  " 

"  Not  a  pine  knot,  not  a  pine  knot,  nebber  heard  of 
such  a  thing,  down  dar  whar  master's  gwine,"  replied  the 


72  THE  master's  house  ; 

4 

fltiU  indignant  Governor,  at  the  same  time  maliciously  imi- 
tating the  nasal  twang  of  Tom's  voice. 

"  Not  a  pine  knot ! "  sighed  the  negroes  in  chorus ; 
"  Oh  Lord !  "  they  ejaculated,  as  the  fearful  truth  broke  in 
upon  them,  "what  shall  we  do  widout  pine  knots?"  and 
the  meeting  broke  up;  the  first  really  serious  objection 
against  removing  to  Louisiana,  having  impressed  itself 
upon  their  minds. 

At  the  jiroposed  time  for  starting,  five  large  wagons 
were  filled  with  camp  equipage,  cooking  utensils,  sick  or 
delicate  women,  and  infant  children.  It  was  near  noon 
when  the  long  procession  of  wheeled  vehicles  and  footmen, 
started  from  the  old  house,  and  gradually  falling  into  line, 
commenced  winding  their  toilsome  way  along  the  road. 

By  nightfall,  the  "  emigrants "  had  passed  beyond 
the  familiar  "  vicinity  "  of  their  deserted  home.  A  place 
was  selected  for  the  "  encampment,"  and  all  was  cheerful 
bustle.  The  negroes  went  merrily  to  work  to  cook  their 
suppers,  the  fires  blazed  brightly  in  the  open  air,  and  sweet 
sleep,  long  ere  midnight,  rested  upon  the  eyes  of  all,  save 
those  of  the  "  young  master." 

From  day  to  day  the  train  pursued  its  onward  but  slow 
progress.  The  care  and  responsibility  that  rested  upon 
Mildmay,  hourly  changed  the  giddy  thoughts  of  youth 
into  the  solemn  reflections  of  sobered  maturity.  As  he 
rode  ahead  of  his  "  helpless  family,"  he  could  not  help 
contrasting  his  position  and  duties  with  the  lighter  expe- 
rience of  his  college  days  ;  and  there  were  times  when  sor- 
row and  vexation  came  upon  him,  and  then  he  envied  those 


A   TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  73 

whose  birth  had  relieved  them  of  the  heavy  responsibili- 
ties that  had  been  by  Providence  placed  upon  him. 

If  the  negroes  became  dispirited,  he  encouraged  them ; 
if  they  were  sick,  he  acted  both  as  nurse  and  physician. 
If  the  wagons  broke,  he  it  was  that  personally  superin- 
tended their  repair.  In  truth,  Mildmay  alone  was  the 
thinking,  responsible  soul  of  the  throng. 

Week  after  week  passed  on,  and  Mildmay  found  him- 
self approaching  the  end  of  the  most  laborious  part  of  his 
tedious  journey.  He  had  left  the  mighty  pine  forests  of 
North  Carolina  behind  him,  which,  desolate  as  they  seem, 
contain  untold  wealth,  as  the  reward  of  well-directed  in- 
dustry, and  was  descending  into  the  romantic  valley  of 
the  Cumberland,  in  the  State  of  Tennessee. 

The  change  of  vegetation  and  climate  was  perceptible. 
As  the  rich  lands  were  met  with,  population  increased,  and 
the  refinements  of  life  followed  in  the  train  of  wealth.  The 
independent  planters  along  the  highways,  often  compelled 
Mildmay  to  be  their  guest,  and  assisted  him  in  the  tem- 
porary disposition  of  his  negroes.  Wherever  he  appeared 
he  commanded  respect,  and  often  did  the  generous-hearted 
Tennesseans  congratulate  their  sister  State  of  Louisiana, 
upon  the  acquisition  of  such  a  noble  and  intelligent  young 
man  as  one  of  her  citizens. 

As  Graham  neared  the  noble  tributary  of  the  Ohio,  he 
became  involved  with  innumerable  bodies  of  emigrants,  of 
every  condition  of  life,  who  were,  like  himself,  struggling 
on  toward  a  new  home. 

UDxe  imagination  cannot  paint  the  scenes  of  misery  and 
dislikes,  and  yet  of  hope,  portrayed  by  the  different  fami- 
4 


74  THE  master's  house  ; 

lies  as  they  moved  along.  Here  were  to  be  seen  white  me, , 
as  ignorant  as  their  negroes,  pursuing  their  way  with  the 
dogged  firmness  of  American  energy,  carrying  from  habit 
their  rifles  on  their  shoulder ;  and  followed  by  their  wives,- 
whose  superior  refinement  and  sensible  ambition,  made  fa- 
vorable contrasts  with  the  sterner  sex. 

It  would  have  afforded  a  curious  example  of  Southern 
life,  to  the  people  of  JMalden,  could  they  have  seen  their 
favorite  student,  their  eloquent  valedictorian,  their  refined 
and  carefully  arrayed  Graham  Mildmay ;  ride  along  their 
elm-embowered  streets,  as  he  now  aj^peared  at  the  approach- 
ing termination  of  this  arduous  journey  to  his  prospective 
home. 

His  overcoat,  which  he  constantly  wore,  was  soiled ; 
and  his  hat,  originally  broadbrimmed,  to  protect  his  face 
from  the  sun  and  rain,  had  wilted  up  under  their  com- 
bined influences,  and  flapped  rowdily  over  his  face ;  his 
thick,  strong  boots,  were  of  a  dingy  yeUow  color,  and 
half  concealed  by  the  heavy  straps  that  fastened  on  his 
spurs.  Around  his  waist  was  a  belt,  that  relieved  him 
from  some  fatigue  while  riding,  and  at  nightfall,  while 
he  watched  by  the  camp  fire,  held  the  protecting  pistol. 

Would  Annie  Hastings  have  discerned  her  ideal, 
through  that  rough  exterior  ?  The  admiring  friends  of 
Maiden  would  not ;  yet  we  think,  that  the  microscopic  eye 
of  affection  would  have  seen,  in  the  ease  of  attitude, — in 
the  centaur  attachment  to  the  noble  horse, — ^in  the  firm 
impress  of  the  foot,  though  scarcely  touching  the  stirrup, — 
in  the  sovereign  carriage  of  the  head, — in  the  self-reliance 
of  the  eye, — that  such  was  indeed  Graham,  and  that  his 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  15 

real  merits  shone  fortli  sublime,  although  undecked  by 
fashion's  art. 

Graham,  after  nearly  two  long,  weary  months,  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing,  while  at  his  night  watch,  the  puffing 
steam  from  a  boat,  that  was  gliding  up  the  long-wished 
or  Cumberland.  The  sight  filled  him  with  pleasure  ;  the 
disagreeable  part  of  his  journey  was  at  an  end. 

On  the  following  morning,  Fenwick,  who  had  been  dis- 
patched ahead,  some  two  or  three  days  in  advance,  met 
Mildmay,  as  had  been  appointed,  at  his  present  encamp- 
ment, and  gave  him  the  pleasant  information,  that  on  the 
second  day  following  the  fine  steamer,  "  Great  "West," 
would  be  at  "  Ford's  landing." 

"  This  is  more  fortunate  than  I  could  hare  expected," 
said  Mildmay. 

"  Great  luck,"  said  the  imperturbable  Fenwick;  "  only 
big  boat  in  the  river,  last  one  too,  for  they  say  the  water  is 
going  down,  and  they'll  have  to  come  to  starn  wheelers;" 
and  the  faithful  Fenwick  seemed  almost  exhausted  with  his 
volubility. 

"  How  far  are  we  from  the  ford,  Fenwick?"  asked  Mild- 
may with  impatient  interest. 

"  Not  more  than  a  day's  journey,  if  we  push  up  a  little," 
and  having  said  this,  Fenwick,  who  had  been  away  for  three 
days,  without  farther  parley  rode  among  the  negroes, 
who  were  lazily,  doggedly  preparing  for  the  accustomed 
start,  and  after  bustling  around,  scolding,  coaxing  and  order- 
ing, informed  them  of  the  fact,  that  at  night  their  foot 
travels  would  be  at  an  end;  which  fact  had  a  marvellous 
effect,  not  only  upon  the  negroes,  but  apparently  upon  the 


16  THE  master's  house  ; 

jaded  cattle,  for  every  thing  mored  merrily  away.  There 
was  again  heard  the  sounds  of  light-hearted  laughter,  and 
Jack  in  stentorian  voice  struck  up  an  extemporaneous  re- 
frain, with  a  tremendous  chorus  of — 

"  Master's  going  down  de  ribber, 

High  0,  high  0, 
Oil,  he's  de  man  wid  a  hundred  niggers, 

High  O,  high  0, 
Walk  along  steamboat,  what  you  waiting  for  ? 

WheAY — yaw,  yaw,  yaw." 

In  the  course  of  the  ensuing  morning,  Graham  over- 
took an  old  wagon  drawn  by  two  skeleton  oxen.  Before 
the  animals  walked  a  sallow-faced  man,  with  hair  as  stiff  and 
colorless  as  hay.  In  the  vehicle  could  be  distinguished,  in 
spite  of  the  hoop-stretched  cotton  top,  a  poor  woman,  that 
seemed  to  be  suffering  intensely  with  the  repeated  attacks 
of  the  ague. 

"  Where  are  you  from,  stranger?"  asked  Graham,  riding 
beside  the  man,  and  adopting,  insensibly  to  himself,  the 
lano;uage  of  the  road. 

"  From  old  North  Caroline,"  said  the  man  doggedly, 
without  looking  up. 

"  And  where  are  you  going  ?  "  continued  Graham,  with 
some  curiosity. 

"I'm  gwiue  to  old  Alabam,"  was  the  reply,  whined 
out. 

"By  land  all  the  way?"  said  Graham,  feeling  in  his 
pocket. 

"  All  the  way,  except  I  go  to  Notchee  on  the  Massis- 
sip." 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIERX    LIFE.  7Y 

"  How  came  you  to  leave  tlie  old  North  State?  "  pursued 
Graham,  willing  to  be  interested  in  any  passing  event, 

"  Why  you  see,''  said  the  animated  automaton,  tipping 
his  poor  oxen  on  the  head  with  his  whip,  "  Why  you  see, 
the  tarpe'ntiue  and  cutting  log  business  stopped  on  the  Pe- 
dee,  and  the  mast  crap  failed,  so  the  stock  died  and  I 
thought  I'd  go  to  Alabam,  and  commence  again." 

"  And  why  do  you  go  to  Alabama,  my  friend,"  suggest- 
ed Graham  delicately,  "  when,"  he  continued,  *'  you  pass 
so  much  good  land  upon  your  route  ?  " 

"  Why  you  see,  I  want  to  get  into  a  healthy  region,  said 
the  man,  glancing  at  his  wife. 

"  Why,  are  there  no  healthy  places  save  in  Alabama?" 
queried  Mildmay,  now  decidedly  interested. 

"  No  pine  lauds  elsewhar,  as  I  knows  on,"  said  the  man, 
an  air  of  intelligence  for  the  first  time  brightening  up  his 
vacant  face. 

"  You  have  a  long  way  before  you,"  said  Graham  in 
real  sympathy;  "  and  perhaps  you  will  allow  me  to  loan  you 
a  trifle,  as  I'm  a  North  Carolinian  myself;  "  and  Graham 
held  towards  the  man  a  few  silver  dollars. 

"  Not  a  cent,"  said  the  man  resolutely,  but  casting  his 
eyes  behind  him,  and  meeting  the  gaze  of  his  wife  he  said  : 
"  Perhaps  the  old  woman  will  have  'em.  She  wants  some 
store  medicine ; "  and  with  this  remark  he  resumed  his  place 
beside  his  cattle,  as  if  fatigued  by  conversation. 

Graham  added  to  the  amount  he  had  proposed  to  give 
to  the  man,  placed  the  coins  in  the  cold  attenuated  hand 
of  the  poor  emigrant's  wife,  and  received  a  smile  in  return, 


TS  THE  master's  house  ; 

that  lie  credited  to  Annie  Hastings,  and  then  with  a  light 
heart  galloped  on  after  "  his  people." 

It  was  ten  o'clock  at  night  before  Mildmay  reached  "  the 
ford."  It  appeared  as  if  his  cattle  and  his  negroes  had 
just  strength  to  accomplish  the  journey,  for  they  now  all 
appeared  to  be  absolutely  broken  down ;  the  task  completed, 
the  spirit  of  the  man  no  longer  sustained  his  infirmities. 

Very  little  pains  was  taken  to  arrange  for  the  night ; 
the  horses  were  unharnessed  where  they  stopped  in  the  road, 
and  after  being  carelessly  fed,  the  negroes  sat  down,  too  fa- 
tigued and  too  happy  to  think  of  eating,  and  in  most  cases, 
while  gazing  into  the  clear  blue  water  of  the  shining  river, 
fell  asleep. 

Graham  with  his  own  hands,  assisted  Fenwiek  in 
making  up  a  fire  to  protect  his  dependants  from  the  night 
air,  and  with  a  solemn  joy  he  sat  down  and  thanked  Heaven 
that  the  most  dreaded  task  of  his  life  had  been  so  happily 
accomplished. 

Graham's  journey  down  the  Cumberland  was  character- 
ized by  no  startling  incident.  He  was  exceedingly  fortu- 
nate in  procuring  a  boat  large  enough  to  take  his  slaves, 
wagons  and  other  property  without  diificulty  on  board.  He 
superintended  the  erection  of  temporary  benches  behind 
the  engines  as  sleeping  places  for  his  negroes,  provided 
them  with  a  large  stove  for  cooking  their  victuals,  and  made 
them,  under  the  circumstances,  very  happy  indeed. 

For  himself  he  selected  a  comfortable  state-room  in 
the  cabin,  which  he  occupied  most  of  the  day,  in  resting 
from  the  fatigues  he  had  gone  through  with,  in  reading,  and 
what  to  him  was  of  the  greatest  pleasurable  importance, 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  V9 

in  sketching  an  epitome  of  his  "  Wanderings  through  the 
Wilderness,"  which  was  carefully  sealed,  and  at  one  of  the 
way  post-offices  along  the  river,  when  the  steamer  stopped 
to  procure  wood,  provisions  or  passengers,  was  mailed  to 
Miss  Annie  Hastings,  Maiden. 

Fenwick  had  a  comfortable  bed  prepared  among  the 
negroes,  and  at  night,  at  stated  times,  Mildmay  took 
his  watch  while  Fenwick  slept,  to  preserve  them  from 
evil  communications ;  from  being  enticed  away ;  and  for 
their  general  protection. 

Night  after  night,  when  Graham's  dependants  were 
wrapped  in  oblivious,  care-dissipating  sleep,  would  he  pace 
for  long  and  solitary  hours ;  a  sentinel,  who,  not  only  guard- 
ed and  defended,  but  had  to  think,  act  and  provide  for  those 
who  were  placed  in  his  charge.  The  sickening  mists  of  the 
river  would  roll  over  his  person,  while  he  was  at  his  post, 
the  profane  and  reckless  conversation  of  the  deck  hands 
would  salute  his  car — all  was  rough,  ungenial,  barbarous. 

Once  upon  his  new  plantation,  he  soon  became  interest- 
ed in  the  establishment  of  his  force  in  their  quarters,  and  in 
providing  his  overseer  with  a  house.  There  were  mechan- 
ics to  employ,  agricultural  implements  to  be  obtained,  money 
to  be  procured,  and  a  thousand  annoyances  he  could  not 
anticipate,  favorable  as  were  his  circumstances,  compared 
with  thousands  who  seek  a  new  home  in  the  Southwest. 

Mr.  Moreton  occasionally  rode  over  to  see  Graham,  and 
assisted  him  by  many  useful  suggestions ;  but  to  return 
these  visits,  Graham  never  went  abroad  except  on  business. 
The  summer  and  winter  passed  away,  and  spring  came. 
The  crop  was  in  the  ground,  the  prospect  of  the  future  was 


80  THE  master's  house  ; 

bright,  and  as  the  necessity  of  exertion  ceased,  so  did  Gra- 
ham relax  from  his  cares,  and  begin  to  think  of  some  re- 
pose as  a  reward  for  his  unceasing  industry. 

It  was  now  that  his  affection  for  Annie  increased.  He 
now  had  a  home  to  invite  her  to,  he  longed  for  her  society, 
he  wished  to  hear  her  merry  laugh  ring  through  his  house, 
and  see  her  grace  his  now  solitary  table.  Fenwiek  was 
competent  and  trustworthy,  and,  sooner  than  he  intended, 
Graham  made  his  preparations  to  visit  the  North. 

Judging  from  Annie's  letters  (for  within  the  last  year 
Graham  and  Annie  had  directly  corresponded  with  each 
other),  a  responsive  chord  had  been  touched  in  her  bosom. 
The  cold  calm  reserve  of  her  first  epistles,  had  given  way 
to  a  tone  of  unrestrained  confidence. 

It  was  these  letters  that  gilded  all  of  Graham's  cares. 
In  the  solitary  musings  of  his  journey  through  the  "  Old 
North  State,"  in  his  repose  by  the  side  of  his  camp  fire 
among  the  rich  lands  and  hospitable  people  of  Tennessee, 
at  his  midnight  watch  on  the  Mississippi,  or  his  solitary 
hours  at  Heritage  Place,  Annie's  letters  had  been  his  great- 
est solace,  and  he  exulted  that  he  had  awakened  an  interest 
in  her  heart,  and  that  she  was  the  chosen  companion  of  his 
life. 

Every  thing  with  Graham  had  gone  well.  The  young 
planter  felt  just  pride  as  he  rode  over  his  broad  acres,  and 
witnessed  the  improvements  of  Heritage  Place.  The  neg- 
lected out-buildings  were  now  neat  and  comfortable,  the 
dilapidated  fences  were  all  repaired  ;  and  there  were  eviden- 
ces of  a  coming  reward  for  agricultural  labor,  pursued  under 
his  own  observant  eye. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  81 

Graham,  in  fact,  seemed  destined  to  great  worldly  pros- 
perity. On  the  same  day  he  received  a  letter  from  North 
Carolina  announcing  his  probable  heirship  to  a  handsome 
estate,  left  by  a  distant  relative  of  whose  existence  he  had 
never  before  heard,  and  one  from  his  commission  merchant 
in  New  Orleans,  offering  him  a  large  advance  on  the  origi- 
nal amount  he  gave  for  Heritage  Place 

Nearly  two  years  had  passed  since  he  left  Maiden. 
Now  relieved  of  the  pressm-e  of  business  cares,  he  deter- 
mined, even  sooner  than  he  had  intended,  to  visit  the  North. 
His  arrangements  were  soon  made,  and  leaving  every  thing 
in  charge  of  Fenwick,  he  set  out  upon  his  long  anticipated 
trip.  Graham  once  upon  his  journey,  was  himself  sm-- 
prised  at  his  own  impatience.  Night  and  day  he  had  but 
one  idea,  and  that  was,  to  speed  on  his  way. 

Arriving  at  Maiden,  he  at  once  proceeded  to  his  hotel. 
As  he  rattled  along  its  streets,  he  recognized  the  familiar 
buildings  as  they  appeared  to  dance  when  looked  at  through 
the  windows  of  the  coach,  and  recognized  the  happy  faces 
of  many  merchants  and  citizens  with  whom  he  was  familiar. 
There  were  students  too,  standing  about  in  groups,  whose 
listless  gait  and  abstracted  airs  brought  old  time  feelings 
to  his  heart.  The  coach  rattled  on.  The  familiar  house 
of  Dr.  Elliott,  rising  against  the  sky  from  its  commanding 
position,  seemed  to  float  by  him  as  if  whirling  in  a  circle 
of  which  he  was  the  centre — anon  there  came  familiar  trees 
and  shady  walks,  then  rushed  by  him  the  old  Hastings 
House,  the  window  panes  glistening  like  crystal,  all  quiet, 
all  repose,  and  he  sank  back  upon  his  cushioned  seat,  almost 
suffocated  with  the  swellings  and  throbbings  of  his  heart. 
4* 


82  THE  master's  house  ; 

Another  instant  and  the  vehicle  stopped.  Its  door  was 
opened,  and  Mildmay  jumped  out  upon  the  pavement. 
"  Mildmay,"  "  Graham,"  shouted  a  dozen  voices  at  once, 
and  he  was  overwhelmed  with  gi-atulations. 

His  fellow  students,  who  had,  as  freshmen,  heard  his 
eloquent  valedictory,  but  now  grown  into  solemn  juniors, 
fairly  hugged  him  round  the  neck,  while  the  honest  old 
landlord  of  the  "  Hotel  "  stood  by,  and  when  he  could  get 
an  opportunity  helped  Graham  up  the  steps  as  if  he  were 
his  own  long  lost  but  now  returned  son. 

It  was  the  idle  hour  of  the  day  at  Maiden,  and  the 
news  spread  from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  ran  along  the  streets 
with  telegraphic  quickness,  that  "  Graham  Mildmay  had 
come !  " 

There  was  an  absolute  sensation  of  pleasure  that  beat 
like  a  pulse  among  all  the  people,  so  much  was  Graham  be- 
loved. Dr.  Elliott  caught  the  news,  as  he  was  working  in 
his  flower-garden,  and  by  twilight  trimming  into  shape  a 
honeysuckle  vine,  and  the  good  old  man,  just  where  he  was, 
fell  upon  his  knees  and  returned  thanks  to  Heaven,  that  he 
was  to  see  his  "  beloved  child  again." 

Annie  the  while  was  in  her  own  room,  looking  over 
Graham's  last  letter.  "  He  will  certainly  be  here  the  day  af- 
ter to-morrow,  if  he  is  not  mistaken  in  the  time ;  he  surely 
would  not  delay  on  the  way,"  she  reflected,  as  the  blood 
mantled  to  her  cheeks,  and  while  thus  engaged  at  her  own 
speculations  and  communing  with  her  own  thoughts,  a 
favorite  but  stately  old  female  servant  of  the  Hastings 
family  stole  up  to  Annie's  room  and  gently  pushed  at  the 
door,  but  finding  it  locked  she  stopped  and  said : 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  83 

"Mistress  Annie,  /te's  come." 

"  Where  ?  "  said  Annie,  looking  around  vaguely. 

"  Not  here  yet,  but  at  the  hotel,"  replied  the  solemn 
old  servant,  walking  away. 

Annie  sat  a  moment  like  one  entranced.  Her  delicate 
iace  grew  red  and  pale,  and  then  crushing  Graham's  letter 
to  her  face  she  found  relief  in  deep,  scalding,  gushing  tears. 

As  soon  as  Graham  could  do  so,  he  slipped  away  from 
his  friends,  and  his  first  act  was  to  write  and  dispatch  a  note 
to  the  old  Hastings  House,  and  half  an  hour  afterwards  he 
was  rapidly  threading  the  familiar  streets  of  Maiden. 

Annie,  pale  with  excitement,  sat  in  the  old  parlor,  buried 
in  an  arm-chair,  with  a  book  upside  down  in  her  hand,  yet 
one  would  suppose,  from  her  intent  gaze  upon  it,  that  she 
was  busy  reading.  The  time  since  Graham  had  last  seen 
her  had  wrought  many  changes  in  her  appearance.  She 
was  now  in  the  full  perfection  of  maidenly  beauty.  She 
was,  too,  somewhat  grown  in  height,  her  form  was  full  and 
round,  and  there  was  a  thoughtful,  responsible  expression 
about  her  eye,  making  it  far  more  beautiful  than  in  the 
times  that  were  past. 

The  grim  old  puritan  female  servant  of  the  Hastings 
family,  had  lived  for  years,  it  might  almost  be  said  for  a 
century,  in  the  house,  and  had  never  in  all  that  time  shown 
any  more  sentiment  or  geniality  than  would  a  pillar  of  ice. 
She  had  known  Annie  from  her  infancy,  and  yet  had  in  all 
that  time  coldly  and  respectfully  done  her  duty  toward  the 
young  lady,  frowning  down  any  thanks  or  professions  of  love 
as  if  they  were  mortal  sins.  But  now  she  was  roused.  It 
would  seem  that  she  had  watched  the  love  passages  between 


84  THE  master's  house  ; 

the  young  people,  and  for  the  first  time  to  Annie's  know- 
ledge had  she  shown  some  symptoms  of  sympathy  with  the 
affairs  of  the  heart;  in  announcing  Grraham's  arrival,  and 
when  he  came  upon  the  steps  of  the  old  mansion,  before 
even  his  impatient  hand  was  lifted,  she  opened  the  door, 
and  gently  letting  Graham  in,  she  pointed  to  the  parlor 
and  said: 

"She's  there, — alone,"  and  disappeared. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  85 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

A  PLEASANT  DREAM  MADE  REALITY. 

The  summer  to  Graham  and  Annie  passed  rapidly  away, 
and  with  the  fall  came  the  preparations  for  "  the  master's  " 
return  to  the  South. 

On  the  morning  following  the  marriage,  there  stood  in 
front  of  the  old  Hastings  House  a  carriage,  and  all  the  fa- 
miliar preparations  for  a  long  journey.  Presently  the  door 
opened  and  Graham,  with  Annie  in  her  travelling  dress  and 
leaning  upon  his  arm,  made  his  appearance.  The  rear  of 
the  group  was  filled  up  with  a  number  of  persons,  in  whose 
faces  smiles  were  seen  struggling  with  tears. 

The  farewells  had  been  uttered,  the  last  embraces  given. 
As  the  carriage  door  closed  upon  Graham  and  Annie,  the 
young  wife  thrust  her  hand  through  the  window,  and  wav- 
ed her  adieus  as  long  as  those  who  had  so  carefully  raised 
and  so  fondly  loved  her  could  be  seen ;  but  soon  recovering 
her  self-possession,  she  seized  Mildmay's  hand,  and  looking 
in  his  face  with  childlike  confidence,  asked : 

"  How  long,  Graham,  shall  we  be  in  getting  7iome  F" 


86  THE  master's  house  ; 

Grraham,  once  on  liis  way  South,  became  anxious  to  reach 
his  journey's  end,  and  by  such  progress  as  was  not  fatiguing 
to  Annie,  he  was  soon  upon  the  Ohio,  and  rapidly  descend- 
ing the  Mississippi. 

The  rivers  were  low  and  the  best  class  of  accommoda- 
tions were  not  to  be  had,  but  to  Annie,  this  very  want  of 
facilities  proved  a  source  of  constant  amusement. 

Heritage  Place,  as  has  been  described,  was  off  the  river 
some  twenty  miles,  and  approached  by  a  bayou,  which  in 
the  spring  of  the  year  was  navigable.  When  Graham 
landed  at  the  point  on  the  river  nearest  his  plantation, 
he  found  that  he  would  have  to  make  the  rest  of  the  jour- 
ney by  land,  or  in  a  skiff,  as  the  bayou  was  now  almost 
dried  up. 

There  were  no  families  residing  near  "  the  landing,"  and 
no  places  of  accommodation  that  could  afford  a  comfortable 
shelter  for  the  night ;  and  this  unexpected  dijB&culty  gave 
Graham  a  great  deal  of  annoyance.  As  the  steamer  on 
which  they  had  lived  so  pleasantly  for  many  days  disap- 
peared, it  seemed  to  Annie  that  she  and  Mildmay  had  been 
abandoned  in  the  foi-ests. 

Two  negroes  who  were  employed  in  chopping  wood  near 
by,  came  forward,  and  instantly  recognized  "  Master  Mild- 
may,"  and  by  their  assistance  Graham  got  his  trunks  up 
the  steep  bank,  and  deposited  them  and  Annie  under  the 
shade  of  a  wide-spreading  tree.  The  negroes  then  ran  off 
and  said  they  would  return  with  their  master. 

"  This  is  rather  rough,  Annie,"  said  Graham,  looking 
around,  "  but  it  is  very  rarely  that  persons  find  themselves 
in  our  strait.     If  Fenwick  could  have  anticipated  our  arri- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  8*7 

val,"  he  continued,  "  the  carriage  would  have  been  in 
waiting." 

"It's  only  twenty  miles  you  say,  Graham,  and  then  we 
are  home,"  suggested  Annie. 

"  Only  twenty." 

"  Then  let  us  go  at  once,"  said  the  young  wife,  "  for  I 
verily  believe  I  could  walk  all  the  way." 

"  You  are  a  brave  girl,"  said  Mildmay,  laughing,  "  but 
we  will  do  better  than  that ;  see,  here  comes  some  one  who 
will  assist  us,"  and  Graham  looked  towards  the  proprietor 
of  one  of  the  log  cabins  in  the  neighborhood. 

A  rough-looking  man  came  up,  and  instantly  recog- 
nized Graham,  and  shook  him  cordially  by  the  hand.  He 
said,  among  other  things,  that  he  had  been  "  down  the 
bayou,"  a  few  days  before ;  had  seen  Fenwick ;  that  every 
thing  looked  well,  and  promised  a  fine  crop,  and  also,  that 
Fenwick  did  not  expect  Mildmay  for  a  week. 

This  gossip  was  exceedingly  gratifying  to  Mildmay, 
and  it  was  soon  arranged,  that  he  would  go  home  in  a 
"  skiff,"  as  there  was  water  enough  for  that  purpose.  The 
baggage  was  removed  to  the  light  boat,  the  two  negroes 
took  their  places  as  oarsmen,  and  Graham  helped  Annie 
into  the  stern,  and  took  his  place  beside  her.  In  the 
course  of  two  hours  they  were  sailing  merrily  along,  soon 
comparatively  to  be  at  the  end  of  the  journey. 

As  the  skiff  proceeded,  Graham  explained  to  Annie 
how  it  was,  that  in  "  high  water,"  the  dark  muddy  sluice- 
way through  which  they  were  then  travelling  would  con- 
tain a  flood,  in  which  the  largest  ships  could  navigate ;  and 


88  THE  master's  house  ; 

by  other  deseriptions  of  scenery,  and  pleasant  incidents,  he 
beguiled  the  time. 

Gradually  the  sun  settled  down  in  the  west,  and  the 
deep,  dark  shadows  of  the  primitive  forests  shrouded  the 
earth;  Annie  instinctively  clung  closer  to  G-raham,  her 
terrors  in  spite  of  herself,  sometimes  almost  overcoming 
her  self-possession. 

Four  hours  had  passed  away,  when  in  the  bend  of  the 
bayou,  far  ahead,  Annie  saw,  rising  up  from  among  the 
trees,  a  stately  mansion.  It  presented  an  imposing  effect 
in  the  dim  light. 

"Is  that  a  delusion?"  said  Annie,  pointing  to  the 
house,  that  seemed,  from  the  motion  of  the  skiff,  to  be  it- 
self moving  about. 

Graham  stared  curiously  a  moment,  and  then  recog- 
nized Annie's  home ;  but  so  altered,  by  a  thorough  paint- 
ing, since  he  had  been  away,  that  for  a  moment  he  did  not 
know  it  himself. 

"That  is  the  end  of  our  journey;  in  a  few  moments 
more  we  shall  be  in  our  own  house." 

"I  can  hardly  realize  it,"  said  Annie;  "and  more, 
it  seems  so  strange,  to  see  such  mansions  rising  out  of 
these  desolate-looking  woods." 

"  To-morrow  all  will  be  changed.  Once,"  he  continued, 
"  on  the  banks  above  us,  and  you  wiU  see  a  country  of  sur- 
passing loveliness." 

"Go  'long  dar" — "what  you  'bout.  Brandy" — "  step 
along,  Gen.  Jackson  " — "  what's  you  doing,  Logan,"  and 
other  colloquial  sounds,  suddenly  rose  from   the  woods, 


A    TALK    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  89 

frightening  the  owls,  who,  not  yet  fairly  awake,  went 
whooping  like  Indian  spirits  off  into  the  solitudes. 

"  As  I  live,"  said  Graham,  to  Annie,  "  I  believe  that 
is  old  Ben's  voice — Ben — Ho  !  Ben,"  shouted  Graham,  so 
loudly,  that  he  perfectly  astonished  Annie  with  his  ve- 
hemence. 

"  Crack,"  "  snap,"  went  the  ox-goad,  popping  like  a 
pistol,  while  the  heavy  wheels  of  the  cart,  seemed  to  grind 
into  the  earth  the  limbs  of  trees  over  which  they  were 
moving. 

«  Ben — Ben,  I  say  ! "  again  shouted  Graham. 

"  Whoa  !  "  Ben  was  heard  to  say ;  instantly  all  was  still, 
and  again  Graham  called. 

The  next  moment  there  was  seen,  on  the  banks  of  the 
bayou,  and  almost  over  the  skiff,  the  dark  form  of  a  negro, 
over  whose  shoulders  rested  a  long-handled  whip. 

"  Who  calls  old  Ben  down  dar  ?"  said  the  man,  staring 
wildly  about. 

"  Your  master,"  said  Graham,  half  vexed  at  old  Ben's 
obtuseness. 

"  Say  dat  agin  ! "  said  old  Ben,  commencing  a  sort  of 
extempore  jig,  as  most  expressive  of  his  joy,  at  his  mas- 
ter's return. 

The  skiff  had  now  fairly  rounded  the  point,  on  which 
Ben  stood,  and  coming  near  him,  Graham  said  : 

"  Ben,  why  don't  you  hurry  off  to  the  house,  and  tell 
Mr.  Fenwick  I  am  coming,  with  your  mistress,  up  the 
bayou." 

The  negro  stopped  to  hear  no  more  ;  in  another  instant 
he  was  rushing  along  in  the  dark,  like  a  perturbed  spirit, 


90  THE    MASTER  S    HOUSE  ; 

yelling  and  laughing  by  turns,  and  when  he  could  find 
time,  saying  : — 

"  Master's  come !  master's  come  ! " 

It  was  now  completely  dark ;  there  had  been  nothing  to 
guide  the  rowers,  but  the  silver  thread  of  the  stream,  re- 
lieved against  the  gloom ;  but  in  a  few  moments  lights 
sprung  up  in  diflFerent  directions,  and  were  seen  moving  to 
and  fro,  and  finally  all  came  together  at  one  point. 

Anon,  the  snorting  of  a  horse,  then  the  heavy  tramp 
of  hoofs,  and  then  Fenwick  was  heard  to  say, 

"  This  way,  you  scoundrels,  with  those  torches — there's 
the  landing." 

All  this  seemed  to  Annie  as  if  she  were  in  a  dream ; 
she  could  not  believe  its  reality;  even  Mildm ay  appeared 
changed ;  for,  from  the  dim  light  reflected  on  his  face,  he 
seemed  to  have  turned  to  bronze. 

The  negroes  who  rowed  the  "  skiff,"  now  turned  it  to- 
wards the  concentration  of  lights,  and  in  a  moment  more 
it  ceased  to  move,  for  want  of  the  proper  depth  of  water. 

Gradually  the  location  of  things  developed  themselves 
to  Graham ;  for  the  first  time,  he  knew  exactly  where  he 
was,  and  he  found  that  between  him  and  the  solid  earth 
was  twenty  feet  of  soft,  muddy  deposit  of  the  bayou. 

As  soon,  however,  as  the  skiff  was  discovered  from  the 
shore,  there  rushed  to  it  a  dozen  stout  negroes;  many 
bearing  torches,  and  aU  anxious  to  see  "  master."  Gra- 
ham rose  up,  and  hurriedly  saluted  his  dependants,  and 
then  gave  directions  for  getting  him  out  of  his  tempo- 
rary difficulties.  Forgetting,  at  the  moment,  that  Annie 
had  never  seen  a  dozen  negroes  in  her  life,  until  within 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  91 

the  few  day3  slie  had  been  on  a  western  steamer,  he  or- 
dered some  of  his  men  "  to  carefully  lift  her  ashore." 

Annie  heard  the  order  with  astonishment;  it  seemed 
in  the  momentary  exaggeration  of  her  fears,  that  Graham 
designed  her  for  destruction,  and  throwing  her  arms  around 
his  neck  in  unqualified  terror,  she  exclaimed  : — 

"  No,  no,  don't  consign  me  to  these  men." 

In  an  instant  Graham  comprehended  Annie's  feelings, 
and  with  an  inward  consciousness  of  deep  pain  at  his 
want  of  consideration,  he  sternly  commanded  the  officious 
negroes  to  stand  aside ;  and  now  communicating  freely  with 
Fenwick,  ordered  him  to  get  some  plank  or  rails,  and 
make  such  a  walk,  as  he  could,  with  safety,  help  Annie 
over  himself.  '^,.. 

The  suggestion  once  made,  it  was  instantly  carried  into 
effect,  and  Annie,  trembling  in  every  limb  with  excite- 
ment, reached  the  shore. 

In  a  few  moments  more  she  was  in  her  own  room,  where 
the  careful  "  Clemmy,"  the  house  servant,  had  considerately 
prepared  a  blazing  fire  upon  the  hearth.  But  the  excite- 
ment had  confused  her  mind.  She  was  feverish  and  rest- 
less ;  her  imagination  was  filled  with  dark,  mysterious 
caverns,  and  strange-looking  beings  with  torches,  who 
seemed  determined  to  seize  hold  of  her  in  some  way,  and 
do  her  injury.  Then  there  were  the  many  dependants  of 
Mildmay,  who,  in  their  clamorous  joy,  were  crowding  into 
the  doors  and  windows  to  see  "master"  and  "mistress." 
All  these  things  overcame  Annie,  and  she  weepingly 
begged  Graham  to  dispense  with  all  attendants,  and  sit 


92  THE  master's  house  ; 

down  beside  her,  that  she  might  feel,  and  gradually  com- 
prehend, that  they  were  alone. 

In  a  little  while  Annie  entirely  recovered  her  self-pos- 
session, and  with  a  smile  of  heaven-born  benignity,  she 
congratulated  herself  that  her  travels  were  at  an  end. 
Night  closed  in,  the  angel  of  peace  spread  her  wings  over 
the  domestic  scene j  Graham's  fondest  hope  was  realized; 
Annie  was  indeed  mistress  of  Heritage  Place. 


^- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  93 


CHAPTER  IX. 

AN    UNSUCCESSFUL    ENTERPRISE. 

Stoneyville  is  one  of  the  most  pleasant  towns  in  the  ru- 
ral State  of  Vermont.  It  is  in  an  out-of-the-way  nook,  on 
the  very  edge  of  the  great  currents  of  travel,  yet  not  per- 
ceptibly influenced  by  them,  for  it  retains  most  of  its  old- 
times  features,  a  large  number  of  its  best  houses  having 
been  in  existence  at  the  time  of  the  Eevolution.  Stoney- 
ville is  also  somewhat  remarkable  for  possessing  an  old 
ruin ;  a  thing  rare,  indeed,  in  New  England.  Past  the 
edge  of  the  village,  flowed  a  spring-fed  stream,  which,  at 
the  lower  part  of  the  town,  widened  into  quite  a  deep  lake. 
Upon  some  rocks  in  the  centre  of  this  sheet  of  water,  had 
many  years  before,  been  built  by  an  unsuccessful  specu- 
lator, a  flour  mill,  now  in  decay;  it  having  been  discovered 
when  too  late,  that  the  enterprise  needed  two  things  to 
make  it  succeed ;  enough  swift-running  water  to  turn  the 
mill,  and  enough*  wheat  to  keep  it  busy ;  both  were  wanted, 
but  what  the  disappointed  miller  lost,  the  town  of  Stoney- 
ville gained  in  the  picturesque. 

The  traditions  of  Stoneyville  are  very  interesting  :  the 


94  THE  jiaster's  house  ; 

little  boys  can  point  out  the  very  spot  -where  they  say 
General  Stark  stood,  when  he  made  his  famous  address  to 
his  soldiers ;  where  the  Grreen  Mountain  Boys  bivouacked 
a  few  days  before  the  battle  of  Bennington.  They  also 
have  traditions  of  wounded  soldiers,  that  were  brought 
into  the  town,  and  lodged  in  specified  houses,  and  who  died 
encouraging  the  living  never  to  surrender  their  liberties 
until  death. 

These  incidents  are  characteristic  of  the  town  of  Stoney- 
ville,  but  in  them  was  all  the  bloodshed  and  violence  that 
were  familiar  to  the  people,  for  no  place  was  more  peace- 
able, more  primitive,  than  this  little  village.  The  uses 
of  law  were  scarcely  known,  the  poor-house  and  the  jail 
were  alike  almost  destitute  of  tenants.  But  for  the  many 
flourishing  schools  within  its  vicinity,  and  the  consequent 
visiting  of  anxious  parents,  to  witness  the  progress  of 
their  children,  Stoneyville  would  have  been  forgotten,  save 
to  the  little  world  of  which  it  was  the  centre. 

Here  it  was  the  good  fortune  of  Charles  Broadnax,  of 
whom  we  have  heard  in  another  chapter,  to  find  a  retreat, 
and  here  he  had  resided  in  peace,  and  would  probably  have 
continued  to  do  so  to  the  end  of  his  days,  had  not  his 
prosperity  attracted  the  good-natured  attention  of  the  local 
editor;  who  thus,  while  intending  to  compliment  him, 
brought  a  knowledge  of  his  whereabouts  to  the  eye  of 
Major  Dixon,  the  bitter  enemy  of  the  African  race. 

The  negro  trader,  in  due  course  of  time,  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  his  plans,  having  informed  himself  in  Wash- 
ington of  the  locality  of  Stoneyville,  and  also  of  the  char- 
acter of  its  inhabitants,  chuckled  over  the  prospect  of  the 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  95 

"  hell  of  a  fuss  lie  was  going  to  kick  up  among  the  Yan- 
kees ; "  and  obtaining  a  temporary  commission  as 
United  States  Marshal,  for  one  of  his  "  own  men,"  and 
selecting  two  others,  who  hung  about  the  slave  depots  in 
Washington,  for  assistants  ;  armed  with  the  "  solemn  au- 
thority of  law,"  and  what  they  deemed  necessary  append- 
ages, revolvers  and  bowie  knives ;  the  four  were  soon  in  the 
State  of  Vermont,  and  managed  to  remain  long  enough  to 
concoct  their  plans  at  the  railroad  station,  some  five  miles 
from  Stoneyville,  without,  in  the  hurry  and  bustle  of  the 
passing  to  and  fro,  attracting  any  particular  attention. 

Having  secured  a  room  at  the  railroad  hotel,  Dixon 
made  his  companions  place  all  their  weapons  in  his  trunk, 
which  he  locked  up ;  observing  that  if  any  of  the  inhabitants 
saw  any  of  their  "playthings,"  they  would  know  that 
they  were  Southerners  negro-hunting,  and  give  the  alarm. 
He  then  cautioned  them  not  to  swagger,  or  get  intoxicated, 
but  behave  themselves  until  he  returned  ;  for,  ever  intent 
on  business,  he  proposed  at  once  to  proceed  on  foot  to  Sto- 
neyville ;  reconnoitre  the  place,  find  out  where  Charles  was, 
lay  all  his  plans ;  and  then,  with  the  assistance  of  his  con- 
federates, make  the  capture. 

With  these  ideas,  he  started  up  the  road  that  led  to 
his  place  of  destination.  It  was  a  pleasant  September 
afternoon;  all  nature  smiled, — the  naturally  sterile  hill 
sides  were  mantled  with  ripening  fruits, — and  the  hay 
fields  filled  the  air  with  fragrance.  A  long  way  off  there 
could  be  seen  the  modest  spire  of  Stoneyville  church,  glis- 
tening just  above  the  intervening  hills. 

"  I   wonder  how  these  ere  people   manage   to  live," 


96  THE  master's  house; 

soliloquized  Dixon,  as  he  strode  along  5  "  cuss  me ! "  he 
continued,  looking  around,  "  if  they  don't  seem  to  keep 
fat  on  blue  stone,  for  they've  not  much  else  to  eat : "  and 
then  looking  ahead,  and  perceiving  the  spire  of  the  church, 
that  for  a  moment  came  in  full  view,  he  said,  "  Thar's  a 
church;  I  suppose  that's  the  shop  Charles  is  sexton  of ; 
why  didn't  they  make  him  the  preacher,  or  send  him  to 
Congress  ?  " 

Just  at  this  moment  there  came  rattling  along  a  two- 
horse  wagon,  driven  by  a  merry  boy,  some  twelve  years 
old;  the  horses  in  perfect  condition,  and  looking  fairly 
gay  under  their  well-kept  harness. 

"  Wal,  I  rayther  guess  you'd  better  ride,"  said  the 
boy,  holding  up  his  steeds,  to  get  Dixon's  answer. 

"  How  far  are  you  going  ?  "  inquired  Dixon,  his  hand 
already  on  the  fore  wheel,  ready  to  mount. 

*'  Wal,  I'm  goin'  near  tu  Stoneyville,  but  not  right  tu 
it,"  said  the  little  teamster,  his  eyes  dancing  with  life  and 
health. 

Another  moment,  and  the  Major  was  hurried  along  at 
a  swinging  trot ;  and  being  a  good  judge  of  a  horse,  "  al- 
most as  good,"  to  use  his  own  language,  "  as  he  was  of 
niggers,"  he  appeared  highly  delighted  with  his  unex- 
pected good  fortune. 

It  seemed  to  Dixon  but  a  few  moments  before  the  boy 
stopped,  and  told  him,  although  the  town  was  entirely 
hidden  from  view,  that  just  beyond  the  spur  of  the  hill 
ahead,  he  would  be  at  Stoneyville.  Dixon  jumped  into 
the  road,  and  taking  from  his  pocket  a  twenty-five  cent 
piece,  offered  it  to  the  boy. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  97 

"  I  haiu't  got  no  change,"  said  the  little  fellow,  gather- 
ing lip  the  reins  to  move  on. 

"  Never  mind  the  change,"  said  Dixon,  laughing. 
"  Wal,  I  hope  you  don't  guess  I'll  take  all  that  money 
fur  such  a  little  ride,  do  you?" 

"  I  guess  you  will,"  sneeringly  returned  Dixon,  all  of 
his  hatred  of  the  Yankee  character  being  revived  by  the 
nasal  twang  of  the  urchin  ;  "I  guess  you  will  take  it,  and 
you'd  better  buy  one  of  these  farms  with  part  of  it,  and 
keep  the  rest  to  build  you  a  house." 

The  boy  took  the  money  with  evident  surprise  at  the 
liberality  of  the  gift  marked  on  his  face,  and  laughed 
heartily  at  Dixon's  remark,  for  he  understood  it  exactly 
different  from  what  it  was  intended ;  and  then  touchinsr 
up  his  horses,  soon  rattled  on  out  of  sight. 

Now  something  in  all  this  had  annoyed  Dixon,  and  he 
strode  on  to  the  village  in  exceeding  bad  humor.  Al- 
though it  was  in  the  usual  business  hours  of  the  day,  he 
saw  no  one  in  the  streets ;  the  houses  set  back  from  the 
road, — the  front  doors  were  generally  open, — but  all  was 
still.  He  passed  one  or  two  modest-looking  stores ;  the 
inmates  seemed  to  be  absorbed  in  books,  or  half  asleep. 
At  the  extreme  end  of  the  town  he  discovered  an  old- 
fashioned  tavern  sign,  and  to  it  he  wended  his  way. 

Suddenly  he  heard  the  hum  of  busy  voices,  merry 
laughter,  and  other  signs  of  life  ;  and  it  appeared  to  him 
that  by  a  sunultaneous  movement,  the  heretofore  quiet 
streets  were  alive  with  children.  The  merry  urchins 
poured  out  from  almost  every  house,  and  went  whooping 
in  merry  troops  up  and  down  the  streets.  Such  a  con- 
5 


98  THE  master's  house  ; 

tinned  array  of  white  faces,  and  rosy  cheeks,  depressed 
Dixon  ;  and  at  the  moment,  he  would  have  looked  upon  a 
negro,  if  legitimately  in  his  presence,  with  all  the  senti- 
ment of  suddenly  seeing  among  strangers  a  familiar  face. 

Dixon  soon  made  an  interested  friend  of  the  landlord 
of  the  "  Farmer's  Inn ; "  and  although  out  of  the  usual 
hour,  he  ordered  some  refreshments,  and  then  asked  to  be 
dil-ected  to  the  village  barber.  The  landlord  pointed  him 
out  the  shop,  and  then  disappeared  to  attend  to  his  unex- 
pected call  for  a  dinner. 

Charles  Broadnax  lived  near  the  centre  of  the  village, 
and  opposite  the  church.  Over  the  door,  in  simple  let- 
ters, was  the  name ;  and  on  the  inside,  the  negro  man 
could  be  seen  busily  dusting  off  the  various  articles  that 
composed  his  stock  in  trade.  A  dark  and  terrible  expres- 
sion passed  over  the  face  of  Dixon,  as  he  saw  the  negro ; 
but  by  a  great  effort  of  will,  he  controlled  himself,  and 
entered  the  "  saloon." 

Charles,  with  professional  courtesy,  made  the  usual 
bow ;  and  asked  what  the  gentleman  would  have.  Dixon 
signified  his  desire,  and  in  another  moment  was  undergoing 
the  necessary,  but  not  very  poetical  infliction  of  being 
shaved.  Charles  was  at  leisure,  and  took  more  than  usual 
pains  to  please ;  and  when  Dixon  came  from  under  his 
manipulations,  he  looked  vastly  improved. 

Before  Dixon  left,  Charles's  two  children,  of  seven  and 
nine  years  of  age,  came  into  the  shop,  and  leaving  some 
message,  immediately  went  out  again.  Dixon  paid  his 
bill,  and  casually  inquired  : 

"  You  have  some  children,  I  see?" 


A    TALE    OF    SOUIIIEUN    LIFE.  99 

"  Yes,"  said  Charles,  "  I  have  got  four." 

"And  how  do  you  like  living  iu  this  cold  country?" 
inquired  Dixon,  pretending  to  be  very  much  interested 
Tvith  a  picture  that  ornamented  the  wall. 

There  was  something  in  the  tone  of  voice  and  manner 
of  Dixon  that  now  alarmed  Charles,  yet  he  could  not  tell 
why.  The  sound  of  the  voice, — the  cold,  distrustful,  and 
evidently  unsympathizing  expression, — revived  recollec- 
tions that  had  been  slumbering  in  his  memory  for  years  ; 
and  yet,  while  his  heart  sunk  within  him,  nothing  visible 
to  his  eye  seemed  to  justify  his  fears. 

Dixon  saw  the  mental  agitation  of  his  victim,  and  was 
confirmed  in  his  idea  that  he  was  talking  to  the  fugi- 
tive ;  but  to  place  the  matter  beyond  a  doubt,  he  said : 

"  I  rode  up  from  the  railroad  depot  with  one  of  your 
citizens,  and  I  have  heard  your  story  with  a  great  deal  of 
interest." 

"  Ah ! "  said  Charles,  instantly  recovering  his  spirits 
(for  his  escape  from  slavery  was  quite  a  familiar  romance 
in  the  vicinity) ;  "  many  people  do  talk  of  my  having  come 
from  the  South ;  but  for  that,  I  should  almost  forget  it 
myself." 

Dixon  said  no  more,  but  walked  back  to  the  "  Farm- 
ers' Inn,"  and  commenced  in  excellent  spirits  his  plain,  but 
neatly  dressed,  and  substantial  dinner.  The  landlord 
was  a  garrulous  man,  and  talked  about  a  thousand  things 
of  no  possible  interest  to  Dixon ;  but  upon  that  gentleman 
mentioning  what  an  excellent  barber  the  town  of  Stoney- 
ville  was  blessed  with,  Boniface  went  into  the  whole  de- 
tails of  Charles's  coming  to  the  town, — his  early  struggle 


100  THE  master's  house  ; 

to  maintain  himself, — and  his  final  triumphs  ;  and  then 
launched  off  into  a  tirade  against  slavery,  and  wound  up 
with  loud  denunciations  on  the  head  of  negro  traders, 
whom  the  landlord  said  he  had  Charles's  authority  for  as- 
serting "  were  a  pack  of  thieving  scoundrels,  who  would 
do  any  thing  base  to  sell  the  souls  and  bodies  of  the  un- 
fortunate slave." 

"  Did  that  nigger  barber  say  that  ? "  growled  Dixon, 
as  well  as  he  could,  with  his  mouth  full  of  excellent  pud- 
ding. 

The  landlord,  perfectly  delighted  that  he  had  at  last 
touched  upon  a  subject  that  interested  his  guest,  replied  : 

"Yes,  he  said  that;  and  I'll  add,"  continued  the 
landlord,  determined  to  be  agreeable,  "  that  a  man  that 
will  give  himself  up  to  make  a  trade  of  selling  human 
beings, — to  separating  parents  and  children, — deserves  to 
go  down  to  the  bottomless  pit,  where  there  is  weeping  and 
wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth." 

"That's  your  opinion,  is  it?"  said  Dixon,  perfectly 
strangled  with  wrath,  and  purple  in  his  face. 

"  It  is,"  said  the  landlord,  still  unconscious  of  the 
effect  of  his  remarks  ;  "  and  it's  the  opinion  of  every  decent 
man  in  the  country  ; " — and  t^n  pausing  a  moment,  and 
giving  his  language  great  effect,  he  continued :  "  Charles 
says,  that  in  the  South  even,  a  nigger  trader  is  despised 
and  loathed,  and  not  allowed  to  sit  at  a  gentleman's  table ; 
and  if  such  is  the  case " 

"Shut  up  your  infernal  gab!"  finally  roared  Dixon, 
almost  in  an  apoplectic  fit,  "  and  the  devil  take  Charles  ! — 


A   TALE    OF    SOUTIIERX    LIPE,  101 

Can't  you  let  a  man  eat  a  meal  in  your  house,  witliout  in- 
sulting him,  you  chuckle-headed  fool  ?  " 

The  landlord  fell  back  against  the  wall,  overcome  with 
astonishment, 

"  I  hope  I  haven't  offended  you  ! "  he  said,  the  moment 
he  could  speak. 

Dixon,  who  had  convulsively  seized  the  carving  knife 
before  him,  and  half  risen  in  his  chair,  dropped  the 
weapon,  and  settling  back  in  his  seat,  while  his  face  was 
still  black  with  indignation,  he  begged  the  landlord  to  ex- 
cuse him,  "as  he  was  subject  to  flows  of  blood  to  the 
head." 

In  a  few  moments  he  paid  his  bill,  and  walked  preci- 
pitately into  the  street.  The  instant  that  he  reached  the 
highway,  and  was  beyond  observation  and  hearing,  he  un- 
loosed his  neck-kerchief,  to  let  the  air  come  to  his 
neck,  for  its  veins  were  swelling  and  heaving  as  if  heated 
by  an  internal  fire ;  and  then  throwing  his  arms  about  him 
as  if  to  obtain  more  relief,  he  poured  out  upon  the  land- 
lord of  the  "  Farmers'  Inn,"  and  upon  Charles,  curses 
and  maledictions  that  rivalled  the  fiends  themselves ;  and  it 
was  not  until  he  had  walked  the  whole  five  miles  necessary 
to  reach  the  railroad  station,  that  he  was  fairly  self-pos- 
sessed. 

Dixon,  on  his  arrival  among  his  confederates,  kept  up 
the  discipline  necessary  for  the  best  execution  of  his  plans. 
He  would  not  allow  them  to  appear  much  together  in  the 
street,  nor  would  he,  when  observed,  have  much  to  say  to 
them  himself  It  was  not  until  ten  o'clock  at  night,  that 
they  met  in  their  sleeping  room,  and  discussed  their  plans. 


102  iiiTu  master's  house  ; 

Dixon  gave-  a  grapLic  account  of  his  adventures  at 
Stoneyville,  and  was  further  enraged  by  his  friends'  laugh- 
ter, as  he  detailed  how  the  landlord,  to  use  the  deputy 
United  States  marshal's  language,  "  hit  him  under  the 
short  ribs;"  but  the  conclave  finally  concluded,  that  it 
would  be  a  great  thing  gained,  if  it  were  possible,  "  to 
stake  the  landlord  down,  and  give  him  a  '  hundred,'  before 
they  carried  off  his  nigger  friend,  Charles." 

"  And  how  far  is  Stoneyville  from  this  place?"  inquired 
the  deputy  marshal. 

"  Five  miles,"  said  Dixon,  sententiously. 

"  Five  miles ! "  repeated  the  marshal,  pulling  out  an 
old  watch;  "why,  Major  Dixon,"  he  continued,  "it  is 
now  only  eleven  o'clock  ;  we  can  get  to  Stoneyville  by  one, 
and  take  the  nigger  in  his  den,  asleep,  and  be  back  in  time 
for  the  three  o'clock  moi-ning  train." 

"  I  know  that,"  snarled  Dixon,  "  I  could  go  back  alone 
to  Stoneyville,  and  take  him  myself,  and  bring  him  here ; 
but  that  isn't  the  thing, — I  want  a  row, — I  want  some  of 
them  guessing  Yankees  to  interfere ;  I  want  that  landlord 
to  get  a  rip  with  a  bowie, — I  want  to  make  these  fellows 
feel  what  it  is  to  infringe  on  Southern  rio-hts. 

The  two  men,  whom  Dixon  had  hired  to  accompany 
him,  finally  fell  into  a  slumber,  but  the  deputy  marshal 
seemed  a  little  nervous  about  his  "  official  capacity,"  from 
the  fact,  that  his  commission  seemed  to  him  a  profound 
delegation  of  terrible  power,  and  he  was  constantly  afraid 
that  it  would  either  be  infringed  upon,  or  not  sufiiciently 
exerted ;  so  he  kept  wide  awake,  and  continued  in  conver- 
sation with  Dixon. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN   LIFE.  103 

Now  the  major  was  exceedingly  well  skilled  in  Lis 
business,  and  he  had  inculcated  the  deputy  marshal  with 
the  belief,  that  if  he,  the  marshal,  was  successful  in  this 
"  particular  hunt,"  that  he  might  get  into  a  fine  run  of 
business,  and  soon  make  himself  rich ;  and  to  further  sti- 
mulate his  confederate,  Dixon  gave  several  illustrations  of 
the  .profits  of  fugitive  hunting ;  but  the  story  he  told  with 
most  unction,  ran  as  follows  : — 

"  "When  I  fust  commenced  this  business,  it  was  before 
the  abolitionists  had  created  such  a  fuss  against  the  South, 
and  before  the  slave ,  States  made  the  law,  that  a  negro 
was  free,  if  his  master  took  him  voluntarily  into  the  north- 
ern States.  The  consequence  was,  that  a  great  many  gen- 
tlemen owned  niggers,  who  had  by  travel  got  to  be  pretty 
considerable  sort  of  gentlemen. 

"  A  young  man,  by  the  name  of  Piuckney,  who  at  about 
twenty-one,  came  in  possession  of  a  large  estate,  took  it 
into  his  head  to  have  in  Europe  a  grand  "  spludge,-'  so  he 
took  his  body  servant,  Benson,  about  as  white  as  niggers 
ever  get  to  be,  and  started  ofi".  I  think  Benson  told  me 
that  his  master  stayed  abroad  about  ten  years,  and  visited 
all  the  kings  and  queens,  and  courted  duchesses,  and  all 
that  sort  of  thing;  Benson  half  the  time  passing  for  his 
companion,  and  all  the  time  treated  as  if  he  was,  no  mis- 
take, white. 

"  When  Piuckney  got  back  home  again,  he  found  his 
funds  rather  low ;  and  having  got  a  taste  for  cards  and 
horses,  he  went  down  South,  and  commenced  the  genteel 
gambler,  and  figured  on  the  race  track ;  and  it  was  gene- 
rally given  in,  that  if  it  hadn't  been  for  Benson's  smartness, 


104  THK  master's  house; 

he'd  a  gone  to  the  dogs  in  less  time  than  it  takes  to  brand 
a  nigger. 

"  Now  a  race  track,  Mr.  Deputy  Marshal,  is  a  bad 
place  for  fools, — a  bad  place  for  a  man  that  loses  his 
senses  in  drinking  too  much — I  never  do  that, — and  a  bad 
place  for  a  bird,  any  way,  that  is  rather  loose  in  his 
feathers.  Be  that  as  it  may,  Pinckney  soon  had  fastened 
on  him  a  shrewd  man,  who  determined  to  get  Benson  from 
him,  by  fair  means  or  foul ;  and  so  he  stuck  to  him  with 
"  marked  cards,"  and  pisening  his  race  horses,  and  bribing 
their  riders,  until  Pinckney  put  up  Benson  against  fifteen 
hundred  dollars,  and  lost  him  on  the  race  track,  easier 
than  a  turtle  rolls  off  a  log. 

"  Now,  the  man  that  won  Benson  didn't  live  in  a  pal- 
ace, or  have  any  duchesses  about  him,  I  tell  you.  He  oc- 
cupied a  log-cabin,  eat  corned  pork,  and  amused  himself 
drinking  whiskey,  running  horses,  and  hunting  niggers.  He 
was  a  real  spirited  gentleman,  but  rather  imprudent  in 
whipping,  for  he  used  to  lay  it  on  when  he  got  mad,  so  that 
the  nigger  never  got  over  it,  and  that  is  a  foolish  wasting 
of  property,  for  you  see  Mr.  Deputy,  there  is  no  feeling  in  a 
nigger's  hide  below  the  skin,  and  if  you  will  take  time,  you 
can  get  it  all  out  of  his  body  without  touching  a  vital — but 
howsomever,  the  man  had  a  right  to  kill  'em  if  he  could 
afford  to,  for  a  person  should  do  as  he  pleases  -with  his 
own. 

"  As  soon  as  this  man  won  Benson,  who  stood  by,  dress- 
ed up  in  the  very  clothes  he  brought  from  France,  and  a 
gold  watch  in  his  pocket,  he  said  very  mildly  :  '  Benson, 
my  boy,  that  half  neck  ahead  of  my  horse  as  they  came  out 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  105 

at  the  stand,  made  me  yoiir  master  ;  now  I  have  a  preju- 
dice agin  dandy  niggers,  agin  learned  niggers,  and  agin 
white  niggers;  and  as  I  don't  fancy  the  airs  Mr.  Pinckney 
puts  on,  I  think  I'll  commence  your  education  by  whipping 
out  of  your  hide  all  the  gyrations  he's  larned  you ;  and  if 
you  live  through  it,  maybe  you'll  make  a  good  cotton  picker 
at  last,'  and  as  the  winner  said  this,  he  commenced  with- 
out further  ceremony  belting  Benson  with  a  heavy  whip, 
every  stroke  of  which  cut  the  broadcloth  into  flinders. 

"  Now,  Pinckney  (who  was  drunk  when  he  put  up  Ben- 
son as  a  stake,  for  he  would  have  sacrificed  his  life  for  the 
boy  had  he  been  sober),  seeing  the  man  strike  Benson,  he 
drew  a  knife,  and  demanding  how  any  one  dared  to  strike 
his  nigger,  rushed  in,  and  a  general  fight  ensued ;  but  as 
might  bo  expected,  the  gamblers  got  the  advantage,  for 
they  cut  up  Pinckney  awful,  so  he  died  the  next  day,  but 
the  nigger  disappeared,  and  wasn't  seen  afterwards. 

"  Now  Benson  understood  that  he  had  been  lost  on  a 
bet,  and  determining  not  to  go  with  his  new  master,  the 
moment  the  fight  commenced,  he  slipped  out  of  sight,  hid 
away  in  the  woods,  and  hailed  the  first  boat  going  to  Cin- 
cinnati after  he  got  to  the  Mississippi  River,  and  was  ta- 
ken on  board  and  treated  all  the  way  like  a  gentleman,  no 
one  on  the  boat  even  suspecting  that  he  was  a  darkee, 
much  less  a  runaway  slave. 

"  Benson  found  his  way  of  course  to  the  British  posses-; 
sions,  and  if  our  government  at  Washington  had  any  spunk,'' 
it  would  declare  war  on  Canada,  just  to  get  the  runaways  ; " 
that's  the  way  it  sarved  the  Semiuoles,  and  a  very  pretty 
thin»  we  made  of  it.    Benson  once  on  English  sile,  set  him- 


IOC  THE  master's  house; 

self  up  for  a  gentleman  at  large,  and  as  he  could  talk  about 
crowned  heads,  picters  and  all  that  sort  of  nonsense,  he  was 
looked  upon  as  the  perlitest  man  ever  was  seen,  and  you'd 
scarcely  believe  it,  set  up  a  perfumery  store  and  married  an 
English  woman,  as  handsome  I'm  told  as  any  in  the  coun- 
try." 

The  deputy  marshal,  who  had  listened  up  to  this  mo- 
ment in  profound  silence ;  at  the  statement  of  the  marriage, 
rolled  up  his  eyes  in  astonishment,  and  said : — 

"  Oh,  Major  !  You're  going  it  too  strong." 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it ;  for  you  see  Benson  was  a  white  nig- 
ger, and  it  took  a  good  judge  to  show  the  cross.  I  have," 
he  continued,  "  paid  a  heap  of  money  out  to  settle  this  very 
question  of  how  white  a  nigger  can  be. 

"  'Twas  only  six  years  ago,  I  bought,  near  Richmond, 
for  a  friend  of  mine  in  Orleans,  a  real  blue-eyed  white  nig- 
ger girl ;  and  after  I  got  her  on  the  ship,  a  habeas  corpus 
was  got  out,  to  prove  she  was  clear  white.  Her  lawyer 
took  the  ground  that  she  was  free — for,  you  see  it  was  ar- 
gued according  to  the  Virginny  statute, '  that  every  person 
who  had  one  fourth  negro  blood  should  be  deemed  a  nigger, 
and  that  every  person  who  had  less  than  that  should  have 
a  certificate  of  being  white.  'Twas  a  hard  struggle  for 
twenty  hundred  dollars,  I  tell  you,  for  the  man  I  bought 
the  girl  of,  had  taken  the  money  and  left. 

"  Fortunately  the  girl  hadn't  any  education ;  she  looked 
beautiful,  and  being  only  fifteen,  was  worth  to  a  young  fel- 
low with  plenty  of  money,  three  thousand  as  she  stood,  and 
as  she  couldn't  jdcad  her  case,  and  didn't  seem  to  care, — 
when  I  showed  them  that  the  inside  of  her  hands  was 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  107 

a  little  smoother  tlian  ordinary  white  folks,  and  the  dark 
line  down  the  spine ;  the  justice  give  in  and  I  took  her  off; 
hut  for  that,  it  Avould  have  been  as  good  as  losing  six  ordi- 
nary niggers,  as  things  then  stood. 

"  But  as  I  was  saying  about  Benson  ;  he  took  to  the  per- 
fumery business,  and  married  a  white  wife,  and  got  to  be  a 
great  man  in  his  way,  I  tell  you.  There  he  lived,  not  even 
his  fellow-runaways  suspecting  that  he  had  ever  seen  a  slave 
State.  But  a  Southern  man,  who  had  seen  Benson  on  the 
race  track,  recognized  him  in  Canada,  and  it  got  to  my  ears, 
and  the  first  time  I  was  down  in  Louisiana  after  I  heard 
of  his  whereabouts,  I  bought  out  his  master's  interest  for 
fifty  dollars,  and  took  a  regular  bill  of  sale. 

"  I  expected  to  have  a  deal  of  trouble,  if  I  ever  got 
Benson  at  all,  but  he  walked  into  the  trap  I  set  for  him 
like  a  bumble-bee  into  a  sugar  hogshead.  Just  one  letter, 
pretending  to  be  from  a  New  York  merchant,  that  wanted 
to  see  him  in  Detroit,  brought  him  under  the  American  flag 
and  into  a  pair  of  handcuffs." 

"  And  what  became  of  him  at  last  ?  "  asked  the  deputy 
marshal. 

"  Why,"  said  Dixon,  rising  up  and  walking  about  the 
room,  "  as  a  mere  money  speculation,  Benson  turned  out 
badly.  I  spent  three  hundred  dollars  to  get  him  to  St. 
Louis,  and  carried  him  gagged  and  tied  all  the  way,  and 
when  I  got  him  fairly  in  limbo,  after  all  my  trouble,  he  had 
the  ingratitude  to  hang  himself  to  the  rafters,  and  so  give 
me  the  slip  after  all." 

"  And  what  became  of  his  wife  ?  "  asked  the  marshal  with 
more  interest  than  he  had  at  any  other  time  displayed. 


108  THE  master's  house  ; 

"  I  don't  know,"  said  Dixon,  with  an  equivocal  smile  on 
his  face,  "  but  I  remember  that  the  papers  and  the  aboli- 
tionists at  the  time  made  a  great  deal  of  fuss  about  it,  and 
said  the  woman  went  crazy ;  but  the  idea  of  a  white  woman 
going  crazy  for  a  nigger,  was  working  the  sentimental  with 
too  much  steam  on,  and  I  never  thought  about  the  subject 
afterwards," 

A  few  orders  in  the  morning  were  given  by  Dixon,  and 
the  men  walked  rapidly  on  their  way.  At  this  moment  you 
could  scarcely  distinguish  the  quiet  story-teller  of  the  pre- 
vious night,  with  the  man  as  he  appeared  under  the  grow- 
ing excitement  of  making  a  cajjture.  He  seemed  to  be  a 
head  taller ;  there  was  an  ercctuess  about  his  figure,  a  fire 
in  his  eye,  and  an  expression  in  his  face  that  was  really  im- 
pressive, and  he  seemed  to  inspire  his  followers  with  his 
own  defiant  spirit. 

The  streets  of  StoneyvillCy  as  the  men  entered  at  differ- 
ent points,  were  alive  with  children  going  to  school,  and 
with  citizens  on  their  way  to  their  daily  avocations.  Dixon, 
always  in  sight  of  his  fellow  laborers,  walked  straight  up 
to  Charles's  shop,  and  peeping  in  at  the  window,  discovered 
the  object  of  his  search  busily  employed  in  dressing  the 
hair  of  a  reverend-looking  gentleman.  Raising  his  finger, 
the  deputy  marshal,  white  with  fear  and  excitement,  came 
within  a  few  yards  of  him,  while  the  hired  assistants  had 
reached  stations  near  Dixon  equidistant  up  and  down  the 
street. 

The  moment  that  every  thing  was  ready,  Dixon  tapped 
on  the  door,  and  Charles,  comb  in  hand,  stepped  forward 
and  opened  it,  and  as  he  put  his  head  out,  Dixon  seized  him 


A    TALE    OP    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  109 

with  his  left  hand  by  the  collar  and  jerked  him  into  the 
street,  at  the  same  instant  striking  him  a  stunning  blow  on 
his  head  with  a  heavy  club. 

The  negro  reeled,  staggered  against  the  side  of  the 
house,  and  fell  on  his  knees, 

"  Where  the  hell  are  the  handcuffs  ?  "  said  Dixon  to  the 
deputy,  while  his  other  assistants  rushed  up,  and  according- 
to  instructions,  with  loud  voices  and  imprecations  warned 
the  citizens,  who  were  gathering  round,  not  to  interfere 
with  the  officers  of  the  United  States.  The  moment,  how- 
ever, that  the  iron  touched  Charles,  he  seemed  to  compre- 
hend his  situation,  and  ere  the  four  men  had  succeeded  in 
perfectly  securing  both  of  his  wrists,  with  a  herculean 
effort  he  broke  his  hold,  and  rising  on  his  feet,  the  blood 
streaming  down  his  forehead  and  cheeks,  he  dashed  the 
dangling  handcuffs  in  Dixon's  face,  broke  from  the  grasp 
of  his  enemies,  and  amid  a  shower  of  bullets,  and  almost 
stripped  of  his  clothing,  ran  a  short  distance  and  plunged 
into  the  deep  but  narrow  river  that  flowed  by  the  town. 
Dixon  followed  hun  to  the  river  bank,  the  deputy  marshal 
meantime  waving  his  commission  over  his  head,  and  calling 
on  the  people  to  assist  him  in  carrying  into  effect  the  sacred 
laws  of  the  land  and  stand  by  the  constitution. 

The  firing  of  the  pistols  brought  the  whole  population 
into  the  streets,  at  the  head  of  which,  and  close  to  Dixon's 
heels,  was  the  clergjTuan  who  was  under  Charles's  profes- 
sional care  at  the  moment  of  the  arrest.  By  the  time  the 
deputy  marshal  had  finished  his  call  upon  the  people  to 
stand  by  the  constitution,  the  clergyman  had  recovered  from 
his  astonishment  and  comprehended  the  scene  before  him. 


110  THE  master's  house; 

and  jumping  upon  an  old  horse-block  near  by,  he  said  In  a 
loud  voice : — 

"  3Ien  and  brethren,  Thou  shalt  not  deliver  unto  his 
master  the  servant  tvhich  is  escaped  from  his  m,aster 
unto  thee.  The  fugitive,  he  shall  dwell  with  thee,  even 
among  you,  in  that  place  which  he  shall  choose  in  one 
of  thy  gates,  where  it  liheth  him,  best ;  thou  shalt  not 
oppress  him.'''' 

This  appeal  to  the  crowd  was  unnecessary,  for  no  one 
had  yet  by  word  or  deed  offered  to  assist,  or  interfere 
with,  the  "  oflSicers  of  justice ; "  and  the  victim  was  mo- 
mentarily out  of  sight ;  but  he  was  soon  discovered  climb- 
ing up  the  timbers  of  the  old  dam,  which  once  formed  part 
of  the  ruined  and  neglected  mill.  The  moment  Dixon  saw 
him  he  raised  his  revolver,  and  sang  out : 

"  Come  back  here  and  surrender  yourself,  you  infernal 
black  d — 1,  or  I'll  make  a  honeycomb  of  your  kinky 
brains ;  come  here,  I  say," — and  at  the  same  time  Dixon 
fired  one  or  two  ineffectual  shots. 

"  G-entlemen,"  continued  the  clergyman,  "  in  the  name 
of  humanity, — in  the  name  of  our  blessed  Saviour, — have 
mercy ! " 

"  Stand  out  of  the  way,  you  miserable,  canting,  abo- 
lition towhead ! "  fiercely  denunciated  Dixon,  and  with  the 
side  of  his  pistol-barrel  rudely  thrusting  the  clergyman 
away. 

Charles  meanwhile  seemed  to  somewhat  recover  him- 
self, and  half  walked  and  half  crawled  along  the  old  dam, 
and  got  into  the  mill ;  and  in  a  moment  more,  reached  the 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  Ill 

top,  and  passing  out  upon  a  long  piece  of  naked  timber, 
seemed  for  the  instant  to  be  suspended  in  the  air. 

"Now  fire  away,  you  human  tigers!"  he  cried,  shak- 
ing his  manacled  arm  over  his  head ;  "I  don't  want  to 
live  any  longer,  since  this  disgrace  has  been  put  upon  me. 
Fire  away,  I  say  ! " 

"  Obey  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  you  treason- 
loving  renegade,"  replied  the  deputy  marshal,  shaking  his 
documents  frantically  towards  Charles. 

"  God  have  mercy  on  the  makers  of  such  laws ! " 
faintly  murmured  the  fugitive,  as  his  body  swayed  to  and 
fro,  and  he  fell  headlong  down ;  apparently  striking  against 
the  projecting  logs,  and  disappeared  amid  the  singing, 
surging  waters,  that  foamed  and  gurgled  in  the  abyss 
below. 

An  exclamation  of  horror  went  up  from  the  crowd, 
mingled  with  the  cries  of  "  shame  !  shame  ! "  when  Dixon 
turned  coolly  round  to  his  assistants,  and  said  : 

"  Dead  niggers  are  not  worth  taking  South,  anyhow  ;  " 
and  replacing  his  revolver  in  his  belt,  he  turned  to  the 
minister,  now  entirely  petrified  with  horror,  and  reminded 
him  that  there  was  a  funeral  on  hand,  that  demanded  his 
attention. 

Several  men  stripped  themselves  of  their  coats,  and 
plunged  into  the  river,  and  swam  toward  the  mill ;  a  feel- 
ing of  bitter  indignation  began  to  show  itself  Mr.  Pen- 
dleton, Charles's  old  friend,  asked  of  Dixon  his  author- 
ity for  his  acts,  and  then  read  with  care  the  deputy's  com- 
mission. 

Threats  now  grew   loud   among  the  excited  throng, 


112  THE  master's  house; 

demanding  that  Dixon  should  be  arrested ;  but  he,  with 
his  companions,  unmolested,  retreated  slowly,  keeping  at 
bay,  and  were  soon  out  of  sight,  and  for  the  moment  for- 
gotten in  the  excitement  to  learn  the  fate  of  Charles. 

"  Well,"  said  Dixon  to  his  companions,  as  he  proceeded 
down  the  road,  "  we  have  seen  more  white  livers  to-day 
than  would  feed  all  the  hounds  in  Texas.  If  four  North- 
eners  had  come  into  a  Southern  town  with  a  federal  com- 
mission, or  any  other  commission,  and  attempted  to  cut  up 
the  devil  as  we  did  to-day  at  Stoneyville,  what  would  have 
been  the  effect  ?  " 

''  Why,"  said  the  deputy  promptly,  "  thej^'d  a  got 
ducked  in  the  river,  or  rode  out  of  town  on  a  rail." 

"  They'd  a  got  worse  than  that,"  said  Dixon,  with  a 
leer ;  "  Southern  people  would  never  stand  by  and  see 
strangers  serve  a  dog  so  !  but  these  Yankees, — talk  to  'em 
about  the  law,  and  show  'em  a  bowie  or  a  pistol,  and  they 
wilt  up  like  tobacco  leaves  touched  with  frost." 

The  negro,  though  nearly  dead  when  found,  seemed 
by  a  miracle  to  have  escaped  with  life.  His  body  lay 
bleeding,  mutilated,  and  insensible, — not  in  the  water,  as 
was  supposed,  but  among  the  matted  logs.  With  diffi- 
culty he  was  restored  to  consciousness,  and  then  only  to 
rave  about  the  manacle  on  his  wrist,  and  express  a  desire 
to  die. 

Never  was  there  before  within  the  memory  of  the  old- 
est inhabitant,  so  sad  a  day  at  Stoneyville.  Citizens  pro- 
verbially of  the  mildest  and  most  unexcitable  dispositions, 
seemed  each  hour  to  become  more  and  more  incensed,  and 
wei-e  ready  at  any  future  occasion  to  resist  by  violence,  all 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  113 

laws  where  theu*  execution  involved  sucli  outrages  as  had 
been  witnessed  that  day ;  and  at  nightfall,  there  went  up 
from  the  firesides  of  Stoneyville,  a  deep  and  bitter  denun- 
ciation of  slavery. 

In  spite  of  every  exertion  of  Mr.  Pendleton,  Dixon  and 
his  men  got  to  the  railroad  station,  and  escaped  without 
interruption ;  and  one  or  two  hours  taking  them  beyond 
the  jurisdiction  of  Vermont,  they  wended  their  way  rap- 
idly, and  without  fear,  toward  the  protecting  walls  of  the 
Federal  Capitol. 


114  THE  master's  house; 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE    QUIET    CLOSE    OF    DAV. 

"Mrs.  Mildmay"  performed  her  simple  duties  as  mis- 
tress of  Heritage  Place  with  due  dignity.  Provided  with 
the  best  possible  servants,  her  time  passed  on  with  little 
more  real  care  than  if  she  had  been  Miss  Annie  Hastings  in 
her  New  England  home.  Mildmay  took  advantage  of  the 
pleasant  mornings  to  engage  with  her  in  agreeable  horse- 
back rides  through  the  splendid  adjoining  forests,  and  the 
evenings  were  passed  in  reading,  or,  as  Annie  herself  ob- 
served, "  appreciating  the  luxury  of  being  in  the  open  air." 
The  enervating  character  of  the  climate,  however,  had 
its  effect  upon  her  constitution,  and  she  suffered  at  times 
that  approach  to  indisposition  which  comes  from  extreme 
lassitude,  and  want  of  varied  mental  excitement.  Con- 
fined sometimes  to  her  room  all  day,  at  sunset  she  would 
cause  Clemmy  to  move  an  easy  chair  upon  the  broad  gal- 
lery of  the  house ;  and  there  she  would  sit  and  watch  the 
stars,  which,  in  a  clear  southern  sky,  seem  to  come  rush- 
ing into  existence,  on  the  sudden  disaj)pearance  of  the  suu 
in  the  west. 


A   TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  115 

Mildmaj,  who  liad  himself  a  keen  sense  of  the  beauti- 
ful in  nature,  as  he  was  leaning  one  evening  against  the 
heavy  columns,  watching  the  close  of  day,  heard  the  light 
footsteps,  and  turning  round,  he  received  Annie  with  a 
smile ;  and  then  assisting  Clemmy  in  arranging  her  easy 
chair,  and  seeing  that  Annie  was  luxuriously  buried  in 
the  soft  cushions,  and  properly  provided  by  an  array  of 
shawls  as  a  reserved  guard  against  the  chilliness  of  ap- 
proaching night,  he  seated  himself  nearly  in  front  of 
her,  and  taking  out  his  cigar-case,  he  ordered  Prince  to 
get  him  "  a  light ; "  and  having  done  all  this,  he  said  : 

"  A  few  moments  more,  Annie,  and  you  would  have 
lost  this  brilliant  sunset." 

Prince  instantly  returned,  bringing  a  living  coal  upon 
the  prong  of  an  ivory-handled  fork;  Graham  blew  off 
the  mouldering  ashes,  and  lit  his  delicate  Havana :  then 
assuming  an  easy  attitude,  he  gave  one  puff,  and  said, 
"  Thus,  Annie,  the  aborigines  dedicated  the  fragrance  of 
the  weed  to  their  gods ;  I,  more  devout  and  more  useful, 
shall  let  these  fleeting  clouds  serve  to  destroy  the  mosq^ui- 
toes,  already  singing  round  you." 

"  You  are  not  the  first  enthusiast  that,  in  making  an 
offering,  has  given  the  fabled  deities  the  least  substantial 
part  of  the  sacrifice,"  said  Annie,  rousing  as  if  from  a 
reverie. 

"  Well,"  exclaimed  Graham,  "  if  I  were  not  so  comfort- 
able just  now,  and  so  determined  not  even  to  think,  I 
might  reply  to  your  unorthodox  remarks,  regarding  my 
disinterestedness." 

"  Then,"  returned  Annie,  "  perhaps  you  will  explain 


116  THE  master's  house; 

to  me  the  secret  charm  of  that  rude  seat,  so  much  a  fa- 
vorite ;  one  would  think  it  was  made  for  very  square,  and 
very  straight-backed  people,  judging  from  its  ' form.'" 

"  There  again,"  said  Graham ;  "  what  a  pampered 
girl ;  you  eschew  my  compliments,  and  now  question  the 
integrity  of  my  throne  :  surely,  being  half  buried  in  the 
deep  cushion  folds  of  that  old  '  arm-chair,'  makes  one  an 
egotist.  But,  my  lady  fair,  yonder  is  a  scene  that  can 
have  naught  but  admiration  ! "  and  he  pointed  to  the  west. 

The  sun  was  now  in  the  very  effulgence  of  its  departing 
glory,  and  reflected  a  warm  orange  tinge  upon  the  face  of 
Annie ;  giving  her  eyes,  already  softened  by  debility,  a 
true  sultana  look.  Behind  her  chair  stood  Clemmy, — her 
dark  and  good-natured  features  glistening  like  bronze  ;  at 
Annie's  feet,  reposed  Ponce  de  Leon ;  his  eye,  however, 
was  ever  vigilant,  and  seemingly  eager  to  pick  a  quarrel 
with  Clemmy  for  being  so  near  his  mistress.  IMildmay 
had  put  on  his  college  skullcap,  the  heavy  tassel  fastened 
to  its  top  hanging  nearly  to  his  shoulder ;  his  "hlouse^^ 
was  loose  and  flowing,  while  the  smoke  of  his  cigar  curled 
lazily  about  his  head.  Prince  had  quietly  slipped  back  to 
his  place  on  the  gallery,  and  went  fast  asleep. 

"It  is  beautiful!  very  beautiful!"  half  whispered 
Annie,  as  she  beheld  the  vast  clouds  rolling  about,  chang- 
ing into  a  thousand  hues,  and  leaving  between  the  distant 
forms  glimpses  of  distance,  which  seemed  the  openings  to 
other  worlds. 

"  And,"  continued  Annie,  with  some  animation,  "  see 
you  not  those  vast  ranges  of  almost  zenith-reaching  moun 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  117 

tains,  glistening  in  pink  and  gold  ;  how  they  are  melting, 
even  while  we  gaze,  into  purple  and  blue?" 

Mildmay  looked  at  his  wife  with  admiration,  but  made 
no  reply. 

"  And,"  continued  Annie,  almost  rising  from  her  chair, 
"  see  you  not  those  grand  peaks,  and  precipitous  sides, 
among  which  I  fancy  I  can  find  the  familiar  forms  of  those 
old  giant  sentinels,  that  look  out  upon  Maiden  ?  " 

"  True,"  half  murmured  Mildmay,  buried  in  deep  re- 
flection; "  there's  the  old  blue  ridge  itself" 

"  What  a  pity,  Mildmay,"  suggested  Annie,  respect- 
fully, "that  these  rich  lands  of  the  South  have  not  some 
granite  hills  to  break  up  their  sameness  ;  I  have  a  fancy 
that  mountains  cherish  freedom  of  thought,  as  well  as  per- 
fect health ;  is  it  not  thus  ?  " 

"  So  records  history,"  returned  Mildmay,  eyeing  with 
anxious  expression  the  placid  appearance  of  Annie's  face. 

A  few  more  flashes,  and  struggling  of  the  god  of  day, 
and  scarcely  a  tinge  of  his  glory  was  left ;  the  pleasant 
evening  breeze  now  sprang  up,  and  laughed  among  the 
hard  crisp  leaves  of  the  magnolia  trees. 

And  now  might  be  seen  moving  quietly  across  the 
yard  some  living  thing,  scarcely  perceptible  in  the  dusk ; 
on  it  comes,  hesitatingly  ascends  the  gallery  stairs,  and 
stopping  at  their  head,  stands,  hat  in  hand,  in  statue-like 
silence. 

Ponce  de  Leon  is  on  his  feet ;  he  gives  a  slight  growl 
of  alarm,  and  appears  ready  for  a  defence  or  attack. 

"Who's  that  on  the  gallery?"  inquired  Mildmay, 
without  moving  his  head. 


118  THE  master's  house; 

"  It's  Ben,  if  you  please,  master,"  replied  the  negro  in 
a  weak  voice. 

"  And  what  is  the  matter  with  Ben?" 

"  Ize  had  de  fever  all  day,  and  I  feel  sort  o'  weak  in 
de  legs,"  said  the  negro,  without  moving  from  his  place. 

"  And  what  have  you  been  doing  all  day,  Ben  ?  " 

"  Ize  been  log-rolling  myself,  but  de  gang  was  down  in 
de  cornfield  cutting  out  grass." 

"  And  how  are  they  getting  on,  Ben  ?  " 

"  Oh,  bery  well,  master ;  'em  alers  work  when  you 
come  to  see  'em." 

"  "Well,  Ben,  go  down  and  tell  Judy,  that  I  say  she 
must  give  you  something  to  make  you  well." 

"  Yes,  master;  "  and  *'  the  boy"  disappeared. 

The  climate  of  the  South,  and  the  influence  of  the 
"ancient  population"  of  Louisiana,  have  unitedly  created 
a  demand,  and  a  taste,  for  large  and  luxuriant  sleeping 
apartments.  Prominent  among  the  articles  of  furnitiire 
are  the  armoire,  and  the  couch  du  lit.  The  armoire^  of 
massive  proportions,  is  always  composed  of  the  richest  of 
materials,  and  is  very  often  inlaid  with  costly  and  differ- 
ent tinted  woods,  the  panels  are  composed  of  costly  mir- 
rors that  reach  almost  from  the  floor  to  the  ceiling.  In 
these  receptacles  one  finds  in  bright  array,  not  only  the 
splendid  ornaments  of  the  bride,  but  in  a  provided  place, 
repose  the  jewelled  casket,  the  perfumed  notes,  the  thousand 
cherished  records  of  the  inmost  heart.  The  couch  du  lity 
is  formed  of  four  ponderous  posts,  surmounted  by  a  heavy 
canopy,  from  which  depends  the  delicate  but  necessary 
mosquito  netting.     Underneath,  is  a  couch,  large  enough 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  119 

for  giants,  yet  of  more  luxuriance  than  that  on  whicli 
Imogen  reposed.  The  proud  affection  of  Mildmay  had  sur- 
rounded Annie  with  all  the  elegant  associations  of  the 
most  favored  of  her  sex,  and  many  cherished  mementoes  of 
her  New  England  home,  mingled  with  the  costlier  appur- 
tenances, and  gave  the  charm  of  familiarity  to  all. 

In  one  corner  of  the  room,  was  a  costly  japan  work- 
table,  a  present  to  Annie  in  her  childhood,  from  a  bachelor 
uncle,  whose  business  it  was  to  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships. 
The  grotesque  figures  upon  this  memento,  of  horrible  dra- 
gons, swallowing  beautiful  young  ladies  with  pigtails,  and 
flowers  of  every  possible  hue,  with  gold  leaves  and  red 
stalks,  and  birds  flying  through  houses,  and  children  run- 
ning to  waste  in  the  air,  had  greatly  amused  Annie  in  her 
very  youth,  and  in  after  years,  had  been  the  subject  of 
much  philosophic  speculation — ^but  now,  nothing  could  so 
excite  the  tenderest  emotions  of  her  heart,  as  the  sight 
of  those  oriental  absurdities — made  familiar  and  sanctified 
by  so  many  pleasing  associations. 

If  Annie  was  ever  overpowered  by  the  heat  and  languor 
of  the  day,  or  felt  the  influence  of  those  moments  of  des- 
pondency that  will  at  times  come  over  the  happiest  of  hu- 
man hearts ;  it  was  only  while  leaning  upon  this  table,  that 
the  consoling  influence  of  tears  came  to  her  relief;  and 
alike  soothed  and  strengthened,  would  she  leave  this  do- 
mestic shrine. 

Clemmy,  concluding  her  supper  and  her  gossiping  in 
the  kitchen,  returned  to  the  gallery  where  she  busied  her- 
self in  setting  back  the  chairs,  closing  the  window  blinds, 


120        *  THE  master's  house; 

and  other  almost  nameless  but  necessary  duties,  when,  ac- 
cording to  her  wont,  she  went  into  her  mistress's  room. 

Now  Clemmy  had,  on  the  afternoon  of  this  particular 
day,  rendered  herself  exceedingly  useful  in  the  flower  gar- 
den, which  labor  had  caused  her  to  neglect  her  household 
duties,  and  she  now,  after  lighting  a  wax  candle,  and 
placing  it  under  a  tall  glass  shade,  discovered  the  omission 
of  drawing  the  mosquito  netting. 

Proceeding  leisurely  to  remedy  this  neglect,  with  the 
instinctive  feeling  of  reverence  for  things  tasteful,  so  pecu- 
liar to  negroes,  she  with  more  than  usual  care  removed 
the  ruffled  pillows,  and  then  carefully  folded  back  the  fine 
linen  of  snowy  whiteness  over  the  rose-tinted  counter- 
pane ;  then  replacing  the  pillows  at  the  head  of  the  bed, 
she  seized  the  silken  tassel  pendent  from  the  foot  of  the 
tester,  and  gave  the  bar  a  jerk,  that  instantly  expanded  it 
like  a  delicate  cloud  over  the  couch  beneath — and  tucking 
in  the  edges  of  the  bar,  she  next  arranged  the  different 
vases,  baskets,  and  nicknacks,  according  to  her  ideas. 
Then  with  evident  pettishness  she  removed  Annie's  Bible  to 
the  mantelpiece,  and  replaced  it  by  a  magnificently  bound 
volume,  which  was  lying  open  upon  the  lounge — she  then 
stepped  into  the  centre  of  the  room  and  gave  an  admiring 
glance  ;  every  thing  in  the  room  met  with  her  perfect  ap- 
probation ;  but  the  disposition  of  the  gayly  bound  volume 
on  the  japan  table  was  her  master  conception. 

The  night  air  growing  too  cool,  and  the  nine  o'clock 
bell  at  the  quarters  having  an  hour  before  rung ;  Annie 
rose  from  her  seat  in  the  gallery,  moved  toward  the  door 
leading  into  the  house,  while  Mildmay  pleading  some  busi- 


I 

I 


A    TALE    Of    BOUTJIKKN    LIFE.  121 

ness  matter  with  Toadvine,  left  Annie  to  pursue  her  incli- 
nations by  herself. 

Glemray  was  within  hearing,  but  evidently  from  a  per- 
fect understanding,  she  continued  staring  into  vacancy,  as 
if  no  one  was  near,  leaving  Annie  to  proceed  uninterrupted 
to  her  room.  The  young  mistress  wore  a  quiet  and  satis- 
fied expression,  there  was  a  slight  tinge  of  pleasure  warming 
up  her  cheek,  it  was  evident  that  the  evening  had  been 
agreeably  spent.  On  entering  as  if  performing  a  customary 
task,  she  carefully  returned  her  Bible  to  its  appointed  place, 
leaving  the  favorite  binding  of  Clemmy  to  ignobly  repose 
its  splendor  upon  the  brass  nails  of  one  of  Mildmay's  much 
worn  travelling  trunks.  Annie  then  sat  down  beside  her 
little  table,  and  for  some  moments  leaned  her  head  upon 
her  hand;  then,  with  her  costly  handkerchief  she  listlessly 
brushed  away  some  suppositious  dust  from  the  fac^s  of 
numerous  little  Japanese  monsters,  and  taking  up  the  sa- 
cred volume,  she  turned  to  a  specific  place,  buried  her  fore- 
finger among  the  parted  leaves,  and  seemed  for  a  while  to  be 
musing  over  the  events  of  the  day ;  then  opening  the  volume 
she  read,  in  a  low  and  musical  voice,  the  twenty-fourth 
chapter  of  St.  Luke,  and  throwing  herself  upon  her  knees, 
poured  forth  her  soul  in  spontaneous  prayer  to  Heaven, 
calling  down  blessings  upon  her  friends  at  a  distance, 
near  by,  her  husband  and  herself. 

Annie  had  scarcely  risen  from  her  kneeling  position, 
before  Clemmy  slipped  noiselessly  into  the  room,  and  with 
some  officiousncss  prepared  to  assist  her  mistress  in  her 
toilet  for  the  night.  Annie  would  willingly  have  dispensed 
with  this,  but  the  natural  kindness  of  her  own  heart  would 
6 


122  THE    MASTERS    HOUSE", 

not  allow  her  to  repel  Clemmy's  affectionate  zeal ;  she  there- 
fore kindly  received  from  her  hands  the  snowy  robe  de 
nuit,  and  carefully  adjusting  it,  and  placing  her  comb  on 
the  table,  thereby  leaving  her  luxuriant  hair  to  fall  over 
her  shoulders,  she  with  forced  resignation  abandoned  her- 
self to  the  hands  of  her  faithful  domestic. 

Clemmy  was  now  happy;  it  was  the  honor  of  arrang- 
ing those  magnificent  curls,  that  was  the  pride  of  her  ex- 
istence, and  made  her  the  envy  of  all  her  fellow  servants. 
Annie  herself  could  not  help  being  amused,  as  she  discov- 
ered the  sable  face  of  admiration  and  triumph  reflected 
over  her  shoulder  in  the  glass. 

Clemmy  skilfully  swept  away  the  masses  of  curls  from 
Annie's  brow,  which  transformed  her  loveliness  into  a  sim- 
plicity that  would  have  been  commended  by  the  most  rigid 
puritan  of  her  race.  The  labor  ended,  she  roused  herself, 
and  stepped  toward  the  bed. 

Clemmy,  meantime,  had  seized  her  gigantic  fly  brush, 
in  which  glistened  and  waved  the  rich  plumage  of  a  host  of 
Juno's  birds,  and  swinging  it  in  the  air,  made  a  soft  zephy- 
rous  noise,  and  at  the  same  time,  in  the  most  artistic  man- 
ner she  prepared  to  lift  the  edge  of  the  mosquito  bar,  gave 
the  signal,  and  Annie  sprang  through  the  opening  with  a 
bound. 

The  busy  hum  of  myriads  of  insects,  thus,  by  almost 
necromancy,  cheated  of  their  prey,  but  made  the  protec- 
tion of  the  netting  more  dellciously  secure,  and  Annie  was 
soon  wandering  in  that  mysterious  world,  where  things 
past  and  present,  and  already  realized  hopes,  mingle  iu 
incongruous  yet  most  harmonious  combination. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  123 


CHAPTER  XL 


AX     ORDER     DLSOBEYED. 


As  with  all  wealthy  planters,  the  most  perplexing  care 
to  Mildmay,  was  the  management  of  the  overseer.  To  this 
individual,  the  proprietor  has  to  delegate  immense  authority, 
and  yet  the  very  qualities  essential  for  an  overseer,  almost 
necessarily  suppose,  that  he* will  not,  and  cannot  be  a  refin- 
ed and  responsible  man.  Mildmay  had  his  share  of  diffi- 
culties after  Fenwick  left  him,  but  he  j,t  length  employed 
a  "  Mr.  Toadvine,"  who  could  command  readily  in  the 
neighborhood  a  liberal  salary,  and  was  well  recommended. 
Mildmay,  upon  concluding  his  agreement  with  Toadvine, 
gave  him  some  general  instructions,  proscribing  on  his 
place  the  use  of  a  certain  kind  of  whip,  and  incidentally 
mentioning,  that  if  Jack,  one  of  the  "  field  hands,"  should 
at  any  time  need  correction,  he  desired  that  it  would  not 
be  administered  without  his,  Mildmay's,  knowledge. 

Some  months  after  Toadvine  was  installed  in  his  office, 
the  unexpected  announcement,  by  Mr.  Mildmay,  that  busi- 
ness would  call  him  away  from  home  for  two  or  throe  days, 
caused  a  feeling  of  universal  gratulation  in  the  mind  of  the 


1 


124  THE  master's  house  ; 

overseer,  and  the  very  morning  on  which  he  saw  from  his 
station  in  the  field,  that  Mildmay  had  departed  on  his  jour- 
ney, he  returned  to  his  house  at  the  head  of  "  the  quarters, " 
and  taking  down  the  "  proscribed  lash,"  he  carefully  and 
artistically  proceeded  to  soften  its  material,  and  by  repeat- 
ed twistings,  wringings,  and  drawing  it  through  his  tightly 
grasped  hand,  he  brought  it  at  last  to  a  satisfactory  state 
of  toughness  and  pliability.  Then  rising  up  and  going  out 
of  doors  he  whirled  it  around  his  head,  and  taking  delib- 
erate aim  at  a  cypress  splinter,  nearly  the  size  of  his  little 
finger,  that  obtruded  from  the  boards  of  the  fence,  he  cut 
it  off  with  the  end  of  the  lash,  as  smoothly  as  if  it  had  been 
done  with  the  edge  of  his  bowie-knife  ;  he  then  playfully 
singled  out  fair  surfaces  on  the  side  of  his  cabin,  and  im- 
pressed upon  them  at  each  blow,  various  hieroglyphic  char- 
acters with  his  whip,  and  although  no  particular  effort  was 
made,  he  buried  the  snapper  deeply  into  the  somewhat 
time-softened  wood. 

"  I  reckon  that'll  do,"  at  last  muttered  the  aggrieved 
man,  "  that'll  do, — I'll  teach  Mr.  Mildmay  that  niggers  is 
niggers,  and  that  he  can't  come  back  here  from  the  free 
States  with  his  damn'd  infernal  abolition  notions,  and  in- 
terfere in  my  business.  If  any  of  his  hands  'aint  got  thar 
share  of  whipping  'fore  night  it'll  be  no  fault  of  mine." 

Just  at  that  moment,  the  front  gate  of  the  quarter  iu- 
closure  opened,  and  in  rode  "  Col.  Price,"  the  overseer  of 
the  "  Moreton  estate."  Toadvine  saluted  his  friend,  asked 
him  to  dismount,  and  they  both  entered  the  house. 

"  I  came  over,"  said  Price,  "  to  ask  you  to  let  me  have 
the  timber  wheels ;  I  think  of  going  into  the  swamp  this 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  125 

evening  for  saw-logs,  and  Mr.  Mildmay  told  mc  'fore  ho 
left  that  1  could  get  'em  if  not  in  use."' 

"  It's  a  wonder,"  snarled  out  Toadvine,  "  that  Mr.  Mild- 
may  did  any  thing  of  the  kind.  He's  been  in  Connecticut 
so  infarnally  long,  that  I  didn't  believe  he  would  do  a  fa- 
vor." 

"  Why,  what's  turned  your  hair  the  wrong  way  this 
morning  ? "  inquired  Col.  Price,  with  considerable  in- 
terest. 

"  Why,  jist  this,"  said  Toadvine,"  "  you  see  I've  been 
overseer  here  too  long  to  be  interfered  with  by  any  man, 
and  I  woa't  stand  it.  Mister  Mildmay  can't  teach  me  my 
business,  and  he  shan't  tell  me  I  whip  too  much  or  too  little. 
It's  only  yesterday  he  made  me  let  Monday  up,  and  I 
had'nt  cut  his  hide  in  nary  place  !  " 

"There  is  one  thing  that'll  never  do,"  said  Col.  Price; 
"  one  thing  '11  never  do,  and  that  is,  to  let  employers  in- 
terfar  too  much  in  our  business.  My  notion  is,  '  let  me  be 
head  or  tail,  or  nothink.'" 

"  Them's  the  way  I. think,"  half  soliloquized  Toadvine, 
drawing  his  huge  whiplash  through  his  fingers ;  "  them's 
the  way  I  think,  and  unless  we  do  something  to  let  these 
upstarts  know  who's  who,  'taint  unlikely  we  may  get  down 
to  be  thought  as  little  of  as  a  schoolmaster  or  a  preacher." 

"  Not  as  bad  as  that !  "  said  Col.  Price,  in  a  tone  of 
voice  that  showed  that  he  never  thought  that  such  a  res- 
pectable office  as  overseer  could  possibly  be  degraded  by 
connection  with  such  professions ;  "  no,  no,  not  so  bad  as 
that,"  and  rousing  himself  up,  he  drove  his  fist  into  the 
table,  and  looking  around  in  a  great  excitement,  he  said, 


126  THE  master's  house; 

"  he  would  like  to  see  a  living  man  that  would  dare  to  mis- 
take lihn  for  a  schoolmaster  or  a  preacher." 

Toadvine,  who  had  cruelty  enough  in  his  comiDosition 
to  make  two  Col.  Prices,  lacked  that  military  gentleman's 
courage  in  the  expression  of  his  sentiments ;  so  he  deeply 
regretted  that  he  had  made  even  the  improbable  compari- 
son that  had  given  his  friend  offence,  and  getting  up  from 
his  seat  he  went  to  a  rude  sideboard,  and  unlocking  it,  he 
took  out  a  decanter  of  raw  whiskey,  and  setting  a  broken 
tumbler  and  a  teacup  upon  the  table,  he  suggested  to  Col. 
Price  the  propriety  of  taking  something  to  help  out  his 
breakfast." 

"  That's  very  good  liquor,"  said  Price,  smacking  his 
lips,  "  whar  did  you  come  across  it  ?  " 

"  Well,  don't  you  know  it,  easy,"  suggested  Toadvine, 
putting  the  decanter  up  to  Price's  nose,  "  don't  you  know 
the  smell  ?  " 

"  Upon  my  word,"  said  Price,  drawing  in  his  breath, 
as  if  inhaling  the  perfume  of  a  moss  rose,  "  upon  my  word, 
old  Gen.  Blatherskite's  *  electioneering  tour,'  as  the  central 
committee  called  it ;  how  did  you  have  so  much  ?  thought 
it  all  went  at  the  '  Clay  gut  precinct.'  " 

"  Why,  you  see,"  said  Toadvine,  "  I  sent  word  to  the 
General,  that  if  he  expected  to  get  the  vote  of  this  neigh- 
borhood, he  had  better  send  up  a  bar'l  of  something  to  drink, 
and  he  sent  word  he'd  do  it ;  he  said  that  the  '  South  was 
in  danger,'  and  he'd  do  any  thing  hut  hrihe,  to  get  to  Con- 
gress. I  sent  after  the  bar'l  the  very  morning  of  the  day 
it  was  wanted,  by  lazy  Jim,  and  would  you  believe  it,  the 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  12V 

whiskey  didn't  get  here  till  nzr/Zi^,"  and  Toadvine  assumed 
a  look  of  innocence  and  regret. 

"  And  so,"  said  Price,  helping  himself  to  another  glass, 
"  you  had  the  whole  left  on  your  hands?  " 

"  Nuthen  else,"  chuckled  Toadvine,  and,  as  if  unable 
to  restrain  himself  longer,  and  either  from  the  effect  of  the 
liquor,  or  the  remembrance  of  the  trick  he  played  upon  a 
candidate  for  Congress,  he  kicked  his  heels  in  the  air  and 
laughed  until  the  tears  came  in  his  eyes. 

"  But  didn't  the  General  smell  a  rat?  "  inquired  Price, 
in  a  deprecating  voice,  "  didn't  he  find  out  how  you  fixed 
it?" 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it,"  said  Toadvine,  "  for  I  saw  the  Gen- 
eral coming  down  the  road  the  next  day,  so  I  staked  down 
lazy  Jim  by  the  side  of  the  fence,  and  commenced  on  him 
just  as  the  General  rode  up.  The  nigger  hollered  "  Oh 
lord,  Massa  Toadvine,  have  mercy  ! '  '  Yes,'  said  I,  not 
noticing  the  General,  'I'll  have  mercy,  you  infernal  scoun- 
drel, for  delaying  on  the  road  yesterday  with  that  whiskey. 
I'll  teach  you  to  fool  away  your  time,  when  3'ou  are  on  Gen. 
Blatherskite's  business." 

"'On  whose  business?'  said  the  General,  reining  up 
his  horse,  and  looking  astonished  ;  '  are  you  flogging  that 
nigger  on  my  account,  Mr.  Toadvine? '  " 

"  *  Yes,  General,'  said  I,  looking  very  angry,  '  this 
nigger  was  sent  for  the  whiskey,  to  treat  your  friends  at 
"  Clay  gut,"  and  he  managed  to  get  back  after  the  voting 
was  over.' " 

"  '  Well,  never  mind  ! '  said  the  General,  '  just  keep  it 
to  drink  my  health  with  !'  and  he  rode  away;  but  whar  was 


128  THE  master's  house  ; 

the  difference?"  said  Toadvine,  speculatively;  "  you  kno"W, 
the  General  got  the  licker  on  tick,  and  he'd  challenge  any 
man  that  sent  him  a  bill." 

At  this  point  in  the  conversation,  a  tall,  likely-looking 
negro  was  seen  approaching  the  house,  from  the  field ;  he 
carried  his  hoe  jauntily  across  his  shoulder.  In  coming 
into  the  surrounding  iuclosure,  he  was  obliged  to  pass 
through  a  gate,  always  placed  near  the  overseer's  dwelling. 

"  Whar  you  going?"  said  Toadvine;  and  springing 
into  the  yard,  and  whirling  his  whip  over  his  head,  he 
brought  it  down  on  the  negro's  back,  simultaneous  with  his 
question,  "  whar  you  going,  you  black  devil  ?  did  I  not 
tell  you  to  stay  in  the  field  ?  " 

"  Master  James,"  said  the  negro,  with  humility,  mixed 
with  astonishment,  while  still  writhing  under  the  pain  of 
the  blow ;  "  I  cum'd  home  because  Mistress  wanted  I  to 
olar  up  de  yard,  you  knows  I  wouldn't  leave  de  gang, 
'cept  on  permission." 

"  I  knows  nothing  of  the  kind,"  sneered  Toadvine,  in 
the  negro's  face;  "I  know  nothing,  except  that  you  are  a 
sneaking,  skulking  scoundrel ;  but  I'll  catch  you,  my  man, — 

I'll  catch  you !  and  by  the ,  if  I  get  a  chance  at 

your  hide,  I'll  peel  you  cleaner  than  you  ever  did  a  pos- 
sum !  now  go  and  clear  up  the  yard ;  "  and  Toadvine  struck 
at  the  boy  again ;  but  with  surprising  agility  Jack  avoided 
the  blow,  and  disappeared. 

"  There's  insurrection  for  you,"  snarled  out  Toadvine, 
in  a  perfect  fit  of  rage,  at  the  same  time  storming  uj)  and 
down  the  yard ;   "  there's  a  nigger  that  his  master  says  I 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFK.  129 

mustn't  whip,  and  he  takes  advantage  of  it,  to  defy  me  to 
my  face." 

Price  looked  on  coolly,  apparently  uninterested;  at 
any  rate  he  expressed  no  surprise,  but  let  Toadvine  ex-, 
liaust  himself,  in  giving  wordy  expressions  to  his  feelings; 
and  then,  from  a  wild  flower  growing  near  by,  with  a  well 
aimed  mouthful  of  tobacco  juice,  he  knocked  a  bumble-bee 
on  the  ground,  and   spoke  as  follows  : — 

"  Toadvine,  circumvent  that  nigger ;  just  teach  him 
you  arc  a  warmer  friend  to  him  than  his  master.  Don't 
strike  him,  as  you  did  just  now,  in  anger,  and  without  a 
cause, — have  a  reason,  and  then  work  at  his  hide,  like  a 
saw-mill." 

"  But  I  can't  get  a  reason,"  said  Toadvine,  groaning 
under  his  impotency ;  "  he  won't  give  me  half  a  chance." 

"  AYell,  make  a  chance,"  whined  out  the  sapient  Colo- 
nel. "  You  know  'fore  I  come  to  Moreton's,  I  overseed  for 
old  Captain  Berks ;  well,  you  see  Berks  hadn't  any  but 
old  family  niggers,  as  he  called  'em, — and  one,  that  nussed 
him  when  he  was  a  boy,  he  was  particularly  nice  of — that 
was  a  nigger,  sure  ;  why  hog  and  hominy  was  too  good  for 
him.  '  Now,'  said  old  Berks  to  me,  said  he,  "  Colonel 
Price,  that  boy  I  have  know'd  ever  since  1  was  a  child ;  he 
carried  me  'bout  'fore  I  could  walk,  and  saved  me  from 
drowning  at  ten  years  old.  That  nigger,'  continued 
Berks,  '  cut  the  fust  stick  on  this  yere  plantation,  and  he 
mustn't  be  whipped,  on  no  account.' 

"  Old  Berks  hadn't  been  to  Connecticut  to  school, 
when  he  gave  that  order,"  continued  Price,  winking  know- 
ingly at  Toadvine ;  ''  'twarn't  done  for  fear,  neither,  for 


130  THE  master's  house  ; 

old  Berks  wasn't  to  be  sceared ;  but  it  was  jest  done  be- 
cause old  JefF  could  fool  bis  master,  and  I  know'd  it ;  so 
tbings  went  on  very  well,  until  I  couldn't  sleep  contented, 
until  I  took  a  little  concait  out  of  JefF;  but  for  a  reason. 

"  One  nigbt  we  was  weigbing  cotton,  and  up  walked  Big 
Bill,  a  thick-lipped  scoundrel  as  there  was  on  the  place ; 
be  put  his  basket  on  the  scales,  and,  by  the  bokey,  it  went 
over  three  hundred.  '  Well  done  ! '  said  old  Berks,  in 
ecstasy,  'well  done,  Big  Bill;  and  now,'  said  the  old 
man,  sort  of  funny  like,  '  as  you  have  picked  fifty  pounds 
more  than  usual,  you  can  call  at  the  store  room,  and  get  a 
pair  of  shoes.'  Big  Bill  laughed — old  Berks  laughed — 
and  I  stuck  my  hand  into  the  cotton  basket,  and  pulled 
out  two  water-melons,  weighing  'bout  thirty-nine  pounds. 

"  At  this,"  continued  Price,  rubbing  his  hands  in  glee, 
and  giving  the  poor  bumble-bee  another  shower  of  tobacco 
juice,  "  at  this,  old  Berks,  who  was  a  '  little  tight,'  got 
into  a  passion ;  he  swore  such  ungenerous  and  outrageous 
conduct,  on  the  part  of  his  niggers,  would  break  his  heart, 
and  if  I  didn't  give  Big  Bill  '  forty,'  he  would  dismiss 
me  from  the  place,  and  administer  the  medicine  himself. 

"  So  said  I,  pretending  to  be  hurt  with  his  severity, 
said  I,  '  Captain  Berks,  them's  family  niggers.'  '  I  don't 
care,'  shouted  the  old  man  (the  brandy,  I  think,  getting  the 
upper  hand  of  him) ;  'I  don't  care,  family  or  no  family  ;  a 
fellow  that  would  swindle  on  one  side,  and  rob  my  melon 
patch  on  the  other,  shall  be  flogged.  I'd  tie  up  Jef  tbar, 
much  as  I  think  of  him,'  said  Berks,  '  if  he'd  do  such  a 
thing.'  '  You  would,'  said  I,  pretending  to  be  astonished. 
'Yes,  I  would,'  said  old  Berks,  towering;  '  if  you  ever 


A    TALK     OK    SDLTIIEKN     LIFE.  131 

catch  JeflF  trying  to  palm  oflF  a  water-melon  for  Keed-cotton, 
give  Jiim  forty.'  " 

As  Price  coucluded  this  interesting  story,  he  delibe- 
rately walked  past  Toadvine,  who  was  standing,  a  perfect 
mouuraent  of  mystified  surprise,  and,  mounting  his  horse, 
appeared  as  if  he  was  thus  unceremoniously  going  to  ride 
away. 

"  And  what  about  Jeff?"  finally  asked  the  perplexed 
and  rather  dull  overseer. 

"  Oh  nothing,"  replied  Price,  carelessly,  "  only  the 
nest  night,  thar  was  a  icatcr  onelon  in  Jeff^s  basket,  and 
every  nigger  on  the  place  see'd  it,  and  he  ivas  given  '  forty,' 
and  I  think  it  tuck  him  six  weeks  to  get  out  of  the  hos- 
pital." 

Toadvine,  as  he  watched  the  retreating  form  of  his 
friend,  Colonel  Price,  seemed  suddenly  inspired  with  unu- 
sual spirits ;  he  cracked  his  whip  in  scientific  flourishes, 
and  going  into  his  cabin,  he  stuck  a  loaded  pistol  in  his 
belt,  took  a  drink  of  whiskey,  locked  up  the  decanter, 
and  remarking,  "  that  Colonel  Price  is  smart,  and  that 
water-melon  trick  was  beautiful,"  he  mounted  his  shaggy 
pony,  and  was  soon  lost  in  the  distance,  as  he  rode  to- 
wards the  slave  gang,  at  work  in  the  field. 

As  Col.  Price  reached  the  main  road  on  his  way  home, 
he  came  up  with  a  small,  sandy-faced,  light-haired  man, 
mounted  on  a  "  Creole  pony,"  and  followed  by  five  or  six 
fierce-looking  hounds;  a  double-barrelled  gun  was  balanced 
before  him,  and  he  carried  in  his  hand  a  raw-hide  whip. 

''How  do  you  do,  Stubbs?"  said  the  colonel,  riding 


% 


132  Tire  master's  house  ; 

up,  and  shaking  hands  with  the  man,  "  whar  you  going  to- 
day ?  " 

"  Just  nosing  about,"  said  Stubbs,  whijDping  oiF  one 
or  two  dogs,  that  would  occasionally  show  their  teeth  at 
Col.  Price's  nether  limbs. 

"Who's  got  any  niggers  out,  now?'"  continued  the 
Colonel,  for  he  took  a  great  interest  in  Stubbs's  occupation. 

"  Enough  out,"  replied  Stubbs,  "  but  no  'rangement 
made  for  catching  'em.  I'm  done,"  he  continued,  "  a  fetch- 
ing runaways  home,  just  for  jail  fees ;  'twont  keep  up  my 
pack,  and  pay  expenses." 

"  That's  right,  Stubbs  ! "  said  the  Colonel,  looking  ap- 
provingly on  his  friend ;  "  that's  right !  if  these  rich 
planters  won't  '  antee  up,'  dont  help  'em,  that's  my  notion ; 
but  who's  that  ahead?"  asked  Price,  as  he  discovered  a 
young  person  on  horseback,  waiting  in  the  road. 

''  That's  young  Finch,"  said  Stubbs,  without  showing 
any  surprise  ;  "  that  boy,"  he  continued,  "  does  take  more 
interest  in  a  nigger  hunt  than  my  dogs  do,  and  he's  just 
waiting  thar,  until  I  come  up,  in  hopes  that  he  can  see  a 
'  brush.' " 

Price  and  Stubbs  shook  hands  with  Finch,  a  youth 
perhaps  of  fourteen,  who  was  armed  not  only  with  a  gun, 
but  had  a  bowie  knife  sticking  ostentatiously  out  of  his 
breast.  A  little  general  conversation  ensued,  when  Stubbs 
and  Finch,  opening  a  plantation  gate,  bade  Col.  Price 
"  good  day,"  and  commenced  trotting  through  the  "  cotton 
rows  "  towards  the  dark  cypress  swamps,  that  loomed  up, 
like  mountains  in  the  distance. 

"  Aud  what  do  you  think,  Stubbs,  will  be  our  chance 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIEIIN    LIFE.  133 

of   starting  up  something  this  evening?"    asked  young 
Finch,  at  the  same  time  impatiently  urging  on  his  horse. 

"  Bad,  very  bad,"  saidStubbs;  "none  is  out  in  this 
range  now,  but  Busteed's  old  Phil;  the  fact  is,"  said 
Stubbs,  reining  up  his  horse,  "  my  dogs  has  got  such  a 
scear  on  the  niggers  now,  that  they  won't  run  away, — the 
overseer  has  only  to  say,  '  Now  boys,  if  I  cotch  any  of  you 
leavin'  you'll  have  Stubbs'  dogs  after  you,'  and  that  ends 
the  thing.  I  ought  to  get  a  big  price  for  doing  that,"  sug- 
gested Stubbs,  conscious  that  he  was  the  victim  of  unre- 
warded merit. 

"  And  how  did  you  know,  Stubbs,  that  old  Phil  was  in 
the  brake  ?  "  inquired  the  young  man. 

"'Cause  I  saw  him  yesterday,  while  'still  hunting;' 
come  right  on  him,  turned  up  on  his  back,  sound  asleep." 

"  And  why  didn't  you  make  him  go  home  ?  "  asked  the 
lad,  with  some  asperity. 

Now  Stubbs  had  been  led  into  an  unfortunate  remark, 
which  he  perceived  the  instant  he  had  spoken,  for  he  af- 
fected only  to  use  his  dogs  when  all  other  means  of  capture 
had  failed ;  and  he  was  afraid  that  Finch  would  get  an 
idea  that  such  was  not  the  case ;  so  he  assumed  a  familiar 
air,  and  explained  himself  as  follows  : — 

"  You  see,  Charley,  I  was  a  '  still-hunting,'  as  I  said, 
and  looking  for  deer,  and  in  wading  Turtle  Creek,  for  I  was 
a-foot,  you  mind,  I  got  my  powder  wet,  and  what  could  I 
do  with  such  a  fellow  as  Phil,  if  he  had  a  mind  to  resist  ? 
No,  no,  Charley,  I'm  more  careful  than  to  track  runaways, 
'cept  I  '  am  prepared,'  so  I  tuck  the  best  course  I  could, 
marked  his  den,  and  when  he  hears  the  '  barkers  '  after 


134  THE  master's  house;, 

him,  he'll  run  straight  home,  sound  as  a  nut,  and  no  harm 
done  to  any  body." 

"  That  was  very  considerate,"  said  young  master  Finch, 
evidently  much  flattered  by  Stubbs'  manner;  "  it  was  very 
considerate  indeed,  and  I  think  Busteed  should  be  very 
much  obliged  to  you." 

"  To  be  sure  he  should ! "  echoed  Stubbs,  "  and  all 
the  planters  should;  why,  sir,  but  for  me,  the  swamps 
would  be  as  full  of  niggers  as  they  is  of  wild  hogs.  I  get 
badly  paid  for  my  sarvices,  Mr.  Finch,  considerin'  I  have 
to  feed  my  own  dogs,  and  take  the  risks  I  run." 

"  And  what  risks  do  you  run?"  inquired  young  Finch, 
carelessly  patting  his  spirited  little  horse  on  the  neck,  and 
giving  his  gun  a  juster  balance,  as  it  rested  before  him  on 
the  pommel  of  the  saddle. 

"  Why,  a  heap  of  risks,"  said  Stubbs,  with  the  air  of 
an  injured  man ;  "do  you  suppose  that  the  niggers  can  be 
tuck,  and  nothing  to  do  but  say,  '  If  you  please,  Mr.  Darkee, 
your  master  wants  you  hum  ? '  Oh,  no !  I've  known 
shooting  and  slashing  going  on  afore  now,  that  would  hurt 
any  man's  feelius." 

"  And  where  was  that  ?"  inquired  young  Finch,  with 
greedy  interest. 

"  "Why  you  see,"  said  Stubbs,  "  that  two  or  three 
years  agone,  old  Duckeye,  that's  a  preacher  now,  and  Bill 
Blass  as  was,  afore  he  died,  both  kept  dogs, — well,  once 
they  were  out  huntiu',  and  it  seems  their  packs  closed  in 
on  the  same  nigger, — I'm  told  that  their  cry  was  beauti- 
ful, when,  as  they  say  at  camp-meetin',  they  met,  and  jined 
their  voices  in  harmonious  song;  but  Blass 's  hounds  had 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  135 

the  heels ;  they  was  of  the  old  '  Ryder  stock,'  and  they 
just  run  over  Duckeye's  dogs,  and  left  them  in  the  rear. 
I  thiidi  the  nigger  they  was  arter  belonged  to  old  Gray ; 
he  could  scratch  gravel,  that  nigger,  and  double,  and  turn, 
like  any  fox, — the  chase  was  beautiful.  Now,  as  might  be 
supposed,  Bhiss's  pack  drew  the  fust  blood,  and  had  the 
nigger  down,  when  Duckeye's  dogs  come  up. 

"  The  row  was  tremendous,  and  they  would  have  sent 
the  nigger  to  kingdom  cum,  if  the  dogs,  being  strangers, 
had  not  got  to  fighting  among  themselves.  There  was  a 
hullaboloo,  sure  enough ;  I  was  on  the  spot  the  next  day, 
and  the  palmetto  was  smoothed  down  for  a  half  acre,  whar 
the  fight  was.  "While  the  dogs  was  going  it  among  them- 
selves, and  the  darkee  was  crying  and  yelling,  old  Duckeye 
and  Blass  got  to  quarrelling  about  who  caught  the  nigger ; 
Blass  contendin',  as  was  right,  that  as  his  dogs  gin  the 
first  grab,  the  nigger  was  his.  Duckeye  stuck  out  that  his 
dogs  was  fust  to  find  the  trail,  so  the  nigger  was  his, — and 
so  they  got  to  swearing  and  scrimmaging,  and  tucking  in- 
to each  other  their  bowies,  and  yelling  and  cursing,  the 
the  dogs  fell  on  'em  both,  and  such  a  row  ensued  as  never 
was  afore. 

"  In  this  beautiful  difiiculty,  the  nigger  got  clean  off, 
and  Blass  got  stobbed  in  the  side,  and  died  that  'ere 
very  night;  and  so  you  see,  Mr.  Finch,  that  the  infernal 
runaways  is  dangerous.  I  often  think  of  Blass  ! "  said 
Stubbs,  mournfully,  "  for  you  see,"  wiping  his  eyes  with  his 
coat  sleeve,  "  that  that  'ere  dog  thar,  with  the  blood-shot 
eyes,  was  own  nephy  to  Blass's  Cuba,  raised  and  imported, 
Santy  Christy,  as  Blass  called  him." 


l'4C)  THE  master's  house; 

"  "Well,  that  was  surprising,"  said  young  Finch,  look- 
ing with  admiration  at  the  dog,  that  had  such  a  distin- 
guished uncle ;  and  at  the  same  time  somewhat  confounded 
b}^  the  conglomeration  of  Stubbs'  story ;   "  but  how  was 

it,"  he  inquired,  "  that  Duckeye  got  off  from  the " 

and  Finch  hesitated  to  give  a  name  to  the  deed  pictured 
in  his  mind. 

the  stobbing,"  said  Stubbs.     Finch  nodded  yes 


to  the  suggestion,  and  Stubbs  went  on —  "  you  see  the 
grand  jury  had  Duckeye  up,  two  or  three  times,  but  whar 
was  the  witnesses ;  it  was  agin  the  law  to  use  the  dogs  and 
the  niggers  to  swar  agin  a  white  man  in  court,  so  the  mat- 
ter drapped." 

At  this  moment  the  two  horsemen  and  their  canine 
followers  entered  the  thick  woods,  and  in  coui-se  of  the 
fleeting  hour,  Busteed's  old  Phil  was  roused  from  his  lair, 
and  there  were  to  be  heard  the  sharp  ringing  notes  of  the 
open-mouthed  pack,  as  they  engaged  in  "  the  spirit  stirring 
hunt." 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIEKN    LIFE.  137 


CHAPTER  XII. 


THE      PllOMISED     VISIT. 


MiLDMAY  and  Annie  set  out  for  Mr.  Moreton's,  soon  after 
breakfast ;  the  day  was  so  fine,  that  it  was  agreed  that  the 
journey  should  be  made  on  horseback,  and  that  on  the  way, 
Annie  should  ride  through  the  plantation,  and  gratify  her 
wishes  at  the  sight  of  her  husband's  luxuriant  fields. 

At  the  time  of  starting,  the  little  negroes,  who  had 
come  in  from  "  the  quarters,"  arranged  themselves  in  a 
row  along  the  avenue  of  the  lawn,  and  as  Annie  passed, 
they  bowed  their  comical-looking  heads,  and  said,  "  Goo' 
by.  Mistress  ! "  "  Goo'  by,  Master  ! "  and  then,  as  if  over- 
come with  their  familiarity,  they  gave  a  universal  laugh, 
and  went  trooping  off  behind  the  house.  Ponce  de  Leon, 
with  a  half  malicious,  and  half  mischievous  spirit,  knock- 
ing a  majority  of  them  over  on  the  green  sward,  by  join- 
ing in  the  scramble. 

Meanwhile  Governor  had  opened  the  gate,  and  Mild- 
may  and  Annie  passed  through,  and  pursued  their  way 
down  the  road,  the  servant  following  at  a  respectful  dis- 


138  THE    MASTERS    HOUSE; 

tance  in  the  rear.  Scarcely  had  this  been  accomplished, 
before  Ponce  de  Leon,  having  finished  his  gambols  with 
the  negro  children,  discovered  the  cavalcade  moving  away 
without  him.  With  a  rush  that  would  have  done  honor  to 
a  race-horse,  he  sped  across  the  lawn,  and  fairly  flew  over 
the  palings,  and  in  another  moment,  was  barking  and  co- 
quetting around  Annie's  horse. 

"  I  will  be  more  careful  hereafter,  Ponce,"  said  Annie, 
laughing,  and  glancing  at  her  favorite,  "  how  I  let  you 
into  my  secrets;  for,  do  you  know,"  she  said,  looking  at 
Mildmay,  "  that  I  believe  some  dogs  have  the  quality  of 
intelligence." 

"  There  cannot  be  a  doubt  of  it,"  he  returned,  interest- 
ed with  the  suggestion,  "  and  there  is  nothing  to  disprove 
that  they  may  not  even  have  a  future,  though  still  humble 
existence." 

"  You  have  improved,  Graham,  amazingly,  upon  my 
speculation,"  said  Annie  gayly. 

"  Perhaps  so,  but  you  will  admit  that  there  is  some- 
thing truly  poetical  in  the  wild  dream  of  the  American 
aborigine,  where  he  spiritualizes  his  future  existence ;  no 
heathen  mythology  has  given  us  a  purer  and  more  attrac- 
tive picture  than  the  Indian  and  his  dog,  side  by  side,  in 
the  happy  hunting-grounds." 

"  True,  very  true,"  returned  Annie,  "  and  more's  the  pity, 
that  so  noble  a  race  could  not  be  preserved  by  civiliza- 
tion." 

"  Pity  indeed,  but  it  is  impossible  to  preserve  the  In- 
dian, In  the  wild  woods,  and  away  from  artificial  influen- 
ces, he  flourishes  like  these  mighty  forest  trees,  through 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  139 

which  we  wind  our  way ;  but  like  these  trees,  if  transplant- 
ed or  disturbed  by  cultivation,  must  wither  away." 

"It's  a  sad  picture,"  said  Annie,  thoughtfully;  "but," 
she  added,  "  I  like  their  consistency  after  all,  for  with  the 
Indian  it  is  indeed  '  liberty  or  death.'" 

"  Hurrah,"  said  Mildmay,  with  playful  exultation,  "hur- 
rah for  Annie  Hastings  !  who,  though  so  little,  is  so  very 
brave;  she  will  yet  be  the  mother  of  heroes." 

"  I  will  beat  you  in  a  fair  race  to  the  field  gate,"  said 
Annie,  blushing,  and  pushing  her  heretofore  lingering  pal- 
frey into  a  gallop,  away  she  sped,  Mildmay  gallantly  fol- 
lowing just  in  the  rear,  with  Ponce  de  Leon,  crazy  with 
excitement,  far  in  the  van. 

As  the  equestrians  came  up  to  the  inclosure,  Jack,  who 
had  seen  them  approachiug,  was  at  the  gate  to  open  it,  and 
as  the  party  passed  in,  he  gave  them  a  salute  of  genuine 
feeling,  which  Annie  said  "  was  delightful  to  behold." 

"  You  can  shut  up  de  gate  yousef,"  said  Jack,  as  Grov- 
ernor,  with  an  air  intended  to  be  much  more  impressive  than 
his  master's,  was  about  riding  on,  unheeding  his  sable 
fellow-servant. 

"  Oh  sartin,"  said  Governor,  wheeling  round  his  pony, 
and  giving  the  gate  a  swing  that  sent  it  to  with  a  crash ; 
and  then  turning  to  Jack  a  look  of  assumed  contempt,  he 
remarked  : — 

"  Some  indiwiduals  don't  suppose  that  field  darkies  can 
learn  to  open  and  shut  a  gate  at  de  same  time, — it  would 
be  too  much  for  dis  world,"  and  Governor  was  so  delighted 
with  his  own  wit,  that  he  nearly  fell  off  of  his  horse  from 
laughing. 


140  THE  master's  house  ; 

"  Mabee  not,"  said  Jack,  seizing  his  hoe  and  working 
away  furiously  in  the  soft  ground;  "mabee  not,"  he  repeat- 
ed, his  face  brightening  into  a  broad  grin,  and  then  without 
any  conceivable  reason,  except  an  exuberance  of  animal 
spirits,  he  broke  into  a  guffaw,  not  only  louder  than  Gover- 
nor's explosion,  but  so  terrific,  that  it  set  the  crows  flying  at 
the  time  high  over  head,  cawing  with  alarm. 

At  this  moment  a  little  negress  passed  by  with  a  pail 
of  water  on  her  head,  which  she  was  carrying  to  the  gang 
in  the  field.  Mildmay  filled  the  gourd  that  was  floating  on 
the  top,  and  offered  it  to  Annie,  which  she  playfully  refused. 

"  I  see,  Annie,"  said  Mildmay,  most  liberally  helping 
himself,  "  that  you  cannot  get  accustomed  to  a  gourd, — 
but,  according  to  my  ideas,  it  is  the  only  goblet  that  truly 
accords  in  simplicity  with  the  gently  gurgling  spring." 

The  sun,  as  it  rose  higher  in  the  heavens,  began  to 
pour  down  with  intensity,  and  Mildmay,  perceiving  that 
Annie  was  suffering  from  the  heat,  suggested  more  rapid 
progress,  and  the  two  struck  into  a  "  lope,"  which  was  con- 
tinued for  a  long  distance  without  interruption. 

Upon  reaching  their  destination,  it  was  a  grateful  re- 
lief to  receive  the  protecting  shade  of  the  heavy  walls  and 
overhanging  verandahs  of  the  mansion. 

Mrs.  Moreton  met  Annie  with  unusual  pleasure  mark- 
ed upon  her  face,  and  Aunt  Margaret  was  so  delighted, 
that  she  not  only  shook  both  her  hands  affectionately,  but 
kissed  her  on  her  cheek. 

The  children,  with  their  nurses,  presented  themselves 
one  after  another,  and  it  seemed  to  Annie,  in  the  confusion, 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  141 

that  a  child  and  a  negro  were  so  strangely  identified,  that 
it  was  difficult  to  imagine  them  apart. 

"  Let  us  have  some  water  here,"  said  Mr.  Moreton, 
looking  about  generally,  after  himself  and  Mildmay  had 
seated  themselves,  and  the  ladies  had  retired  to  a  distant 
part  of  the  house. 

Now  Mildmay  was  exceedingly  thirsty,  and  so  appear- 
ed Mr.  Moreton;  but  although  there  were  great  num- 
bers of  negroes  moving  about  the  premises,  presenting 
themselves  and  then  disappearing  like  puppets  in  a  show, 
still  no  water  came.  Finally  Mr.  Moreton  lost  all  patience, 
and  with  a  loud  voice  cried  out : 

"  John — David — Mary — Jefferson — Wash,  why  don't 
somebody  bring  some  water  here  ?  " 

Still  the  negroes  moved  about,  as  if  unconscious  of 
hearing  any  order,  and  Mr.  Moreton  jumped  up,  and  was 
about  getting  into  a  passion,  when  Aunt  Margaret  met  him 
at  the  door,  and  in  a  mild  voice  said  : 

"  Brother,  did  I  hear  you  call  ?" 

"  Certainly  you  did,"  said  Mr.  Moreton,  sitting  back 
in  his  chair  nearly  exhausted. 

Aunt  Margaret  singled  out  one  of  the  many  idlers  in 
view,  and  gave  the  required  directions,  and  almost  instant- 
ly she  was  obeyed. 

"  I  forgot  to  ask  you,  Mr.  Mildmay,"  said  Moreton,  tak- 
ing up  his  glass,  "  I  forgot  to  ask  if  you  would  have  any 
thing  with  your  water.  I  have  myself  so  long  given  up  the 
habit  of  indulging  iu  any  thing  '  strong,'  with  the  temperate 
exceptions  of  occasionally  at  dinner,  that  I  fear  I  have  ap- 
peared regardless  of  the  rites  of  hospitality." 


142  THE    MASTER  S    HOUSE  ; 

"  Not  at  all,"  said  Mildmay  promptly,  "  I  Lave,  I  am 
sorry  to  say,  formed  a  liking  for  a  good  cigar,  which  desire 
I  gratify,  but  beyond  that,  I  am  careful  not  to  tax  my 
strength  by  unnecessary  stimulants." 

"  Bring  some  cigars  here,"  cried  Mr.  Moreton  from 
habit,  and  then  catching  the  eye  of  the  servant  holding  the 
salver  and  pitcher,  he  said  : 

"  Viney,  bring  those  cigars  here,  from  off  the  parlor 
mantel-piece." 

The  girl  obeyed,  and  presented  Mildmay  with  the  box, 
but  he  declined  smoking  for  the  time  being,  and  the  two 
gentlemen  again  seating  themselves,  seemed  disposed  to 
enter  upon  conversation,  as  persons  who  had  a  great  deal 
to  say,  and  more  than  sufficient  time  to  say  it  in. 

Annie  was  shown  to  a  room  splendid  in  size,  in  the  cen- 
tre of  which  was  an  enormous  French  bedstead,  and  on  the 
side  the  familiar  armoire.  A  tidy-looking,  petted  servant 
stood  at  her  elbow,  ready  to  do  her  slightest  bidding. 
Laying  aside  a  coquettish  sun-bonnet,  which  she  preferred 
to  use  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  when  out  on  horse- 
back, to  the  more  showy  riding  cap  that  Mildmay  had 
provided  her  with,  she  sat  down  in  a  comfortable  chair,  and 
submitted  to  the  ordeal  of  examination  from  the  distended 
eyes  of  her  sable  attendant. 

"  What's  your  name  ?  "  said  Annie  to  the  girl,  to  re- 
lieve herself  from  the  embarrassment  of  being  an  object  of 
so  much  undisguised  interest, 

"  My  name  is  Violet,  Missus." 

"  Violet  ?  "  repeated  Annie ;  "  you  were  named  after  a 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  143 

very  pretty  flower,"  she  continued,  absolutely  confused  for 
something  to  say. 

"  Not  after  a  flower,  Missus,"  said  Violet,  quite  flatter- 
ed by  the  notice  she  received ;  "  I  was  done  named  after 
Master's  old  nurse." 

At  this  moment  the  door  of  the  room  opened  and  Aunt 
Margaret  presented  herself,  and  with  a  winning  smile  she 
desired  Annie  to  go  with  her  to  Mrs.  Moreton's  room. 

Mrs.  Moreton,  at  the  moment  of  Annie's  entrance,  was 
giving  directions  to  a  negress  how  to  sew  up  a  seam  in  a 
coarse  capote  or  blanket  coat,  and  near  by  on  the  floor,  sat 
two  more  negresses  busy  at  the  same  work. 

After  the  cordial  salutations  of  meeting,  "  You  see,  Mrs. 
Mildmay,"  said  Mrs.  Moreton,  "  one  of  the  tasks  imposed 
upon  the  mistress  of  a  plantation.  You  would  scarcely  be- 
lieve," she  continued,  "  that  I  have  cut  out  and  sjiperin- 
tended  the  making  of  thirty  of  these  heavy  garments  this 
season." 

"  Thirty !  "  said  Annie,  with  undisguised  amazement : 
"  and  can  you,  Mrs.  Moreton,  with  your  delicate  hands,  do 
so  much  ?  " 

"  It  would  seem  so,"  said  that  lady,  looking  up  and 
smiling;  "  I  wish  this  work  was  the  least  unpleasant  of  my 
many  duties." 

"  Well,"  said  Annie,  "  as  I  am  ambitious  to  be  a  good 
wife,  I  must  learn  to  make  them  myself,"  and  she  took  one 
of  the  heavy  coats  in  her  hands. 

"  Not  to-day,"  said  Auut  Margaret,  taking  the  garment 
gently  away,  "  not  to-day,  but  some  other  time." 

"  I  will  show  you  presently,"  said  the  lady,  still  oc- 


144  THE  master's  house  ; 

cupied  by  her  duties,  "  Mr.  Moreton's  preparations  for 
weaving  and  spinning ;  lie  finds  sucli  labor  very  useful  and 
profitable  for  the  women  on  a  large  plantation  who  are  too 
delicate  to  be  out  in  rainy  days." 

"  And  do  you  really  spin  and  weave  ?  "  said  Annie,  with 
interest. 

"  Certainly,"  said  Mrs.  Moreton,  and  she  added,  "  Clo- 
tilde,  show  Mrs.  Mildmay  your  dress."  (The  girl  held  out 
the  side  of  her  garment  for  Annie's  inspection.)  "  We," 
she  continued,  "  clothe  all  our  hands  in  homespun ;  it  is 
much  better  cloth  than  that  which  we  buy." 

"And  is  this  the  universal  custom?"  said  Annie, 
becoming  very  much  interested. 

"  Most  generally,"  said  Mrs.  Moreton,  "  in  old  settled 
communities." 

At^  this  moment  there  burst  through  the  curtains  that 
hung  over  the  door  a  little  gii-1,  crying  out,  "  Where's 
Aunt  Margy  ?  "  and  spinning  round  the  room  like  a  top, 
and  running  against  tables  and  chairs,  she  came  to  a  stand 
still,  directly  opposite  where  Annie  was  sitting. 

"Why,  Toots,"  said  Aunt  Margaret  to  the  child, 
"  where  have  you  been  this  last  half  hour  ?" 

"  Down  to  the  cotton-gin, — see  all  the  corn -mill,  and 
mules,  and  the  wheels  go  round  and  round,  and  never  stop 
'till  a  minute,"  replied  Toots,  with  a  rapidity  of  speech 
truly  astonishing. 

"  Do  take  that  little  minx  out  of  the  room,  Minnie," 
said  Mrs.  Moreton,  looking  at  one  of  the  negro  girls  near 
her  J    "  for  that  child  always  sets  me  crazy  with  her  noise." 

"  Toots  won't  set  any  body  crazy  with  her  noise, — she 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  145 

will  be  a  good  girl,  and  bo  'till, — not  do  nossin  at  all ; " 
and  having  delivered  herself  of  this  speech,  Toots  com- 
menced dancing  np  and  down,  singing  with  a  loud  voice, 
each  time  her  little  feet  struck  on  the  floor. 

It  was  very  plain  that  Aunt  Margaret  was  delighted, 
and  as  Toots  for  a  moment  was  still,  she  said, 

"Go  and  shake  hands  with  Mrs.  Mildmay,  Toots." 
The  little  perpetual-motion  eyed  Annie  for  a  moment 
with   amusing  interest,  and  then  with  the.  quickness  of 
thought  rushed  forward,  jumped  into  Annie's   lap,   threw 
her  arms  round  her  neck,  and  said, 

"  How  you  get  such  curls  all  down  your  face  ? — how  you 
come  to  our  house  ? — how  much  you  love  Toots  ?  "  and 
the  little  thing  clapped  her  hands  and  laughed,  and  crowed 
in  a  perfect  ecstasy  of  delight. 

"  Why,"  said  Annie,  overcome  with  astonishment  and 
gratified  surprise,  "  does  this  child  go  on  this  way  all 
the  time  ?  " 

"  Yes,  all  the  time,"  said  Mrs.  Moreton,  dwelling  on 
the  all ;  "  and  I  believe  she  is  never  still,  even  when 
asleep." 

"  Toots  very  'till,"  said  the  child  with  much  soleni- 
nity ;  and  she  then  broke  out  a  loud  chirrup,  as  follows . 

"  If  I  liad  a  vife,  and  she  had  a  bahy, 
Vife's  name  Kitty,  child's  name  Gavy." 

"  Davy,"  said  Aunt  Margaret,  her  eyes  sparkling  with 
delight. 

"  Gavy,"  said  Toots,  with  gravity. 
"  Davy, — goose,"  repeated  Aunt  Murgaret. 
7 


146  THE  master's  house  ; 

"  Vife's  name  Kitty,  and  claild's  name  Davy  Goose," 
said  Toots,  breaking  into  a  loud  laugh,  and  throwing  her 
head  back  on  Annie's  shoulder. 

"  Minnie,  take  Toots  out  in  the  yard,  I  say,"  said  Mrs. 
Moreton,  putting  her  hand  to  her  forehead,  as  if  suffering 
from  a  severe  pain  in  the  head. 

"  No,  Minnie  shan't  take  Toots,"  said  the  child,  spring- 
ing from  Annie's  lap,  and  running  to  Aunt  Margaret ; 
"  Toots  set  dog  on  Minnie,  and  Pa'll  give  Minnie  '  forty,' 
— and  then  Toots  broke  out  into  an  unintelligible  song, 
minsled  with  imitations  of  all  the  noises  heard  in  the 
poultry-yard  ;  and  finding  that  her  mother  was  really  get- 
ting serious,  she  suddenly  calmed  down,  and  walking  up  to 
one  of  the  negro  girls  that  was  at  work  on  the  capotes,  she 
said, 

"Toots  want  ueedlers,  —  Toots  show;"  and  having 
been  accommodated  with  a  needle  and  thread,  she  went 
through  the  pantomime  of  biting  off  the  end  of  the  thread, 
making  a  knot,  and  looking  seriously  at  every  one  about 
her ;  but  finding  it  impossible  to  remain  quiet,  she  com- 
menced dancing  up  and  down,  and  just  as  her  mother  was 
within  an  inch  of  seizing  her  dress,  she  glided  awa}^,  and 
was  heard  paddling  down  stairs,  laughing,  hallooing,  at 
the,  as  she  supposed,  really  ineffectual  attempts  of  one  of 
the  servants  to  arrest  her  progress. 

Annie  was  so  amused  at  Toots,  that,  in  spite  of  her- 
self, she  was  obliged  to  give  way  to  hearty  laughter. 

"  Oh,"  said  Mrs.  Moreton,  laying  down  her  work,  and 
looking  at  Annie  with  a  most  injured  expression,  ''  if  ynu 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  14*7 

could  really  imagine  how  difficult  it  is  to  exist  with  that 
child  in  the  house,  you  would  pity  me." 

"  Why,"  said  Annie,  wiping  tears  from  her  eyes, 
"  Mrs.  Moreton,  you  are  indeed  to  be  pitied,  for  I  think 
Toots  would  even  kill  me." 

"  I'U  go  and  see  that  that  dear  child  has  something  to 
eat,"  said  Aunt  Margaret,  leaving  the  room;  and  upon  going 
down  stairs,  she  found  Toots  running  across  the  lawn, 
with  a  piece  of  poundcake  in  one  hand,  and  a  stick  in  the 
other,  chasing  a  large  number  of  awkward  goslings  head- 
over-heels  before  her. 


148  THE    MASTER  S    HOUSE  I 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


E  V  E  K  Y  -  D  A  Y     INCIDENTS. 


Although  Moreton  and  Mildmay  had  frequently  met  at 
Beeehland,  ?nd  on  tlie  highway,  they  really  were  but  little 
acquainted  with  each  other.  Mr,  Moreton  was  cere- 
monious when  out  of  his  own  house,  and  Mildmay  had 
found  constant  occuijation  on  his  plantation ;  and,  with 
Annie's  society,  had  no  particular  inducement  to  go 
abroad,  —  so,  although  Mr.  Moreton  and  Mildmay  sat 
down  together  with  the  mutual  idea  of  being  pleased  with 
each  other's  society,  yet  it  was  nevertheless  true,  that  the 
emotions  of  sympathy  were  yet  to  be  called  forth  by  the 
interchange  of  harmonious  thoughts. 

A  few  moments'  conversation  only  had  taken  place 
before  Mr.  Moreton  and  Mildmay,  to  their  own  astonish- 
ment, found  that  they  differed  on  every  interchange  of 
sentiment ;  and  as  Mr.  Moreton,  living  as  he  did  in  a 
somewhat  solitary  place,  had,  by  long  association  with  his 
negroes,  become,  insensibly  to  himself,  restive  under  con- 
tradiction, although  respectfully  offered,  and  from  one  he 
acknowledged  an  equal ;  still  his  abruptness  of  manner  at 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  149 

first  caused  IMildmay  to  yield  in  silence,  and  then  to  differ 
from  Mr.  Moreton  even  beyond  the  natural  bent  of  his 
true  feelings. 

"I  think  that  this  custom  that  prevails  with  some 
Southern  people  of  sending  their  children  to  the  North  to 
be  educated  is  decidedly  wrong,  and  very  ridiculous,"  said 
Mr.  Moreton,  with  great  emphasis  of  manner. 

"  I  must  beg  to  differ  with  you  again,"  said  Mildmay, 
quietly,  "  for  I  have  found  not  only  the  Northern  colleges 
excellent  as  literary  institutions,  but  useful,  in  giving  the 
collateral  advantage  of  acquaintance  with  the  social  and 
commercial  character  of  our  brethren  of  the  whole  Union." 

"  I  don't  see  the  advantage  you  speak  of,"  returned 
Moreton,  energetically ;  "  we  send  our  young  men  on  to 
the  North,  and  they  come  back  with  their  heads  crammed 
full  of  literary  trash,  and  Southern  institutions  are  made 
distasteful  to  them :  I  think  it  ruins  tliem  altogether." 

"  I  haven't  found  such  to  be  my  experience,"  said  Mild- 
may,  for  the  instant  annoyed. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir,"  said  Moreton,  slightly  color- 
ing ;  "  but  the  fact  is,  I  forgot,  in  my  knowledge  of  your 
Southern  birth  and  interests,  that  you  had  ever  seen  the 
North;  so  you  must  excuse  me,  for  I  don't  in  my  own 
raind  identify  you  with  the  Yankees." 

"  But  I  have  shown  great  willingness  myself  to  be 
identified  with  them,"  said  Mildmay,  laughing;  "for,"  he 
continued,  "  the  best  half  of  me  is  the  very  pith  of  the 
Mayflower  stock." 

"  True,  true,"  said  Mr.  Moreton,  his  natural  gallantry 
getting  the  better  of  his  prejudices ;  "  and  I  wish  such  rare 


150  THE  master's  house  ; 

infusions  were  more  frequent :  but  you  will  admit,  my 
dear  Mildmay,"  contiuned  he,  after  a  pause,  "  that  the 
tendency  of  Northern  colleges  are  anti-Southern  in  their 
influence." 

"  Not  necessarily  so,"  said  Mildmay,  with  decision 
"  for,"  he  continued,  "  out  of  three  hundred  students  I 
was  associated  with  at  Maiden,  most  of  whom  were  Yan- 
kees, and^tqjhe  manner  born,  there  were  but  two  avowed 
abolitionists ;  and  what  is  most  remarkable,  one  of  those 
insanities  is  now  an  editor  of  a  secession  paj^er  in  South 
Carolina,  and  the  other  a  school  teacher  in  Georgia,  pub- 
lishing addresses  cautioning  the  planters  of  the  South 
against  using  New  England  primers,  lest  they  get  uncon- 
sciously infected  with  abolition  sentiments  in  spelling  Eng- 
lish words." 

•'  Well,  there,"  said  Moreton,  whirling  around  upon  his 
chair  and  snapping  his  fingers  in  triumph,  "  don't  you  see, 
Mr.  Mildmay,  by  your  own  showing,  something  contemp- 
tible in  the ,"  and  Moreton  stopped. 

"  You  were  going  to  say,  '  New  England  character,'  " 
suggested  Mildmay,  smiling ;  "but,  I  see  nothing  of  the 
kind  in  my  illustration,  and  these  two  young  men  that  I 
speak  of,  are  mere  time-servers.  They  thought  that  anti- 
slavery  sentiments  would  help  their  personal  interests  iu 
Connecticut,  and  so  they  adopted  them.  Finishing  their 
education,  they  went  South,  and,  always  consistent,  they 
flatter  the  pro-slavery  feeling  among  us,  and  are  as  heart- 
less and  unprincipled  and  dangerous  in  their  new  vocation, 
as  they  were  in  their  old ;  and,"  continued  Mildmay,  his 
eyes  flashing  fire,  "  I  loathe  and  despise  such  cowardly 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  151 

creatiu-es ;  they  are  a  disgrace  when  compared  with  the 
lowest  standards  of  man." 

"I  never  had  any  other  feeling  for  them,"  said  Mr. 
Moreton,  with  complacenc}'. 

"  You  will  pardon  me,  sir,"  said  Mildmay,  "  if  I  say,  that 
this  truckling  to  interest,  this  sacrifiqp  of  conscience  and  : 
truth,  is  not  peculiar  to  New  England,  or  New  England 
men.  I  think  I  meet_parallel  examples  sometimes  in  my 
visits  to  Beeehland.  I  see  hypocrites  at  our  doo»s,  for  I  mis- 
trust the  sincerity  of  all  men,  who,  owning  no  negroes  them- 
selves, are  violent  in  defence  of  our  peculiar  institutions." 

"  I  never  took  that  view  of  it,"  said  Moreton,  rising,  and 
walking  rapidly  up  and  down  the  gallery;  '' perhaps  you 
are  right." 

"  I  know  that  I  am  right,"  said  Mildmay;  "  look,"  he 
continued,  "at  the  burnings  and  lynchings  of  negroes,  ~] 
which  have  disgraced  the  fair  fame  of  the  South,  and  it  j 
will  be  found  that,  the  planters,  the  men  of  wealth  and 
education,  have  rarely  been  participators — the  deeds  were 
done  by  irresponsible  men,  who  owned  no  negroes  them- 
selves, but  who  thus  gratified  their  unholy  passions,  through 
the  corrupt  idea,  that  their  excessive  zeal  gave  evidence  of 
devotion  to  Southern  interests."  i 

"  Mildmay,  I  believe  that  what  you  say  is  true,"  said 
Moreton,  stopping  in  his  walk,  and  falling  into  a  brown 
study,  and  then  thrown  oif  his  guard  by  Mildmay's  impres- 
siveness — --"  Now,  I  remember,  in  the  Murrell  excitement, 
we  tried  an  incendiary  at  Beeehland,  and  Judge  Lynch 
sentenced  him  to  be  hung.  But  when  the  poor  fellow  was 
ou  the  gallows,  no  one  would  act  as  Jack  Ketch,  and  the 


^ 


162  THE    MASTER^S    HOUSK  ; 

poor  devil  would  have  got  off,  Lad  not  a  stranger  in  the 
place,  and  himself  suspected  of  abolition  sentiments,  ad- 
justed the  rope,  and  launched  the  victim  into  eternity." 

"  And,  by  this  murder,  the  suspected  individual  ap- 
peased the  public  sentiment  again&t  himself,''  said  Mildmay, 
with  emotion. 

"  Oh  yes,"  said  Mr.  Moreton,  as  if  relieved  from  an 
oppressive  feeling, — "  oh  yes,  and  the  man  has  lived  in 
Beechland  ever  since." 

"  And  would  hang  us  to-morrow,"  said  Mildmay,  with 
disgust,  "  if  the  insurrection  were  against  us.  Upon  such 
wretched  social  materials,  upon  such  a  moral  volcano,  do 
!  we  slaveholders  exist." 

As  Mildmay  concluded,  Mr.  Moreton  absolutely  fell 
into  his  chair.  Strange  ideas  had  been  awakened  in  his 
mind, — ^thoughts  that  had  slumbered  for  years,  aroused.  A 
sort  of  desolate  feeling  came  over  him,  the  future  looked 
gloomy  and  uncertain,  and  for  a  moment  he  mentally  groped 
in  darkness, — and  then,  brushing  his  hand  across  his  brow, 
he  said : 

"IMildmay,  if  we  would  happily  live  in  the  South, 
we  must  not  look  so  deeply  and  darkly  upon  the  things 
around  us;"  and  with  this  remark,  Mr.  Moreton's  thoughts 
launched  again  into  the  current  of  life,  allowing  the  present 
only  to  occupy  his  mind ;  the  future  he  carefully  excluded. 

Fortunately,  to  relieve  both  gentlemen  of  their  embar- 
rassment, Col.  Lee,  the  only  person  invited  to  dine  with 
the  Moretons,  on  Mildmay's  visit,  was  seen  riding  toward 
the  house;  and  by  this  exclusive  invitation  Mr.  Moreton 
intended   to   show  Mildmay  the  high  esteem  he  placed 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIEUN    LIFE.  153 

upon  his  visit,  for  Col.  Lee  was  presumed  only  to  honor  with 
his  company  people  of  admitted  pretensions,  for  he  claimed 
for  himself,  to  be  one  of  the  "  first  families  of  Virginia," 
and  consequently  was  aristocratic  to  the  last  degree. 

The  moment  that  Moreton  caught  sight  of  the  Colonel, 
he  walked  out  upon  the  lawn  and  met  that  gentleman  half 
way,  and  accompanied  him  into  the  house.  The  Colonel 
had  evidently  determined  to  make  an  impression.  He  sa- 
luted Mildmay  with  a  courteous  dignity,  such  as  Washing- 
ton may  have  been  presumed  to  use  on  great  state  occa- 
sions, and  before  he  had  well  seated  himself,  a  servant  was 
already  by  his  side,  with  a  salver  containing  liqueurs,  and 
a  pitcher  of  cool  water. 

Col.  Lee  helped  himself  to  a  glass  of  wine,  and  turning 
to  Moreton  and  Mildmay,  he  expressed  his  pleasure  at  seeing 
them  both  looking  so  well,  trusted  that  the  ladies  were  in 
good  health,  and  that  Mrs.  Jlildmay  found  the  climate  of 
Louisiana  to  agi-ee  with  her  constitution ;  and,  tossing  off 
his  wine,  he  remarked  complacently, 

"  Moreton,  you  have  the  most  excellent  water  on  your 
place.  I  know  of  none  so  good  in  the  neighborhood.  It  is  a 
great  blessing  to  have  good  water,"  and  thereupon  the 
Colonel  begged  to  be  excused,  as  he  was  quite  thirsty 
from  riding  in  the  dust,  and  he  helped  himself  again  to  the 
sherry,  and  then  seated  himself  in  an  elegant  attitude, 
and  seemed  to  be  prepared  to  receive  admiration"  of  his 
personal  appearance,  and  to  listen  patiently  to  hear  any  re- 
marks that  might  be  made  in  conversation. 

The  moment  that  Col.  Lee  took  his  seat,  Mr.  Moreton 
brightened  up,  and  a  lively  conversation  ensued,  in  which 
7* 


lo-i-  THR  master's  house; 

Mildmay  became  interested,  from  the  novelty  of  the  ideas 
constautly  presented,  although  they  were  not  always  in 
accordance  with  his  manner  of  thinking. 

As  Mr.  Moreton  had  a  large  family,  the  subject  of 
education  was  a  source  of  constant  reflection  ;  and  as 
the  exchange  of  ideas  progressed,  Mr.  Moreton,  unintention- 
ally to  himself,  made  some  of  his  favorite  remarks  against 
Northern  institutions  of  learning,  when  Colonel  Lee,  per- 
ceiving that  Mildmay  had  differed  with  Moreton  on  their 
merits,  broke  out  into  a  eulogistic  defence  of  Southern 
Colleges,  and  wound  up  by  a  graphic  description  of  the 
"  Virginia  University,"  an  institution,  he  said,  that  was  the 
fountain  of  chivalry,  of  profound  scholarship,  and  statesman- 
ship ;  and  gradually  progressing,  he  gave  many  anecdotes  of 
the  amusements  of  the  students,  and  described  with  inim- 
itable humor,  a  cock-fight,  that  took  place  one  evening 
in  "  the  chapel,"  in  which  one  of  the  professors  lost  to  him 
nearly  a  half  gallon  of  brandy,  besides  a  box  of  the  best 
Spanish  cigars. 

Mrs.  Moreton  had  scarcely  gone  through  the  pantomime 
of  showing  Annie,  rather  than  telling  her,  how  very  dis- 
tracting Toots'  noise  was  to  her  head,  when  a  negro  pre- 
sented herself  at  Mrs.  Moreton's  door,  and,  making  a  low 
courtesy,  said  : 

"  Mistress,  Aunt  Dinah's  done  got  worse." 

"  One  of  your  servants  sick  ?  "  said  Annie. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Mrs.  Moreton,  putting  on  alight  shawl, 
"  one  of  our  most  valuable  women  has  had  '  the  fever,'  and 
it  seems  impossible  to  break  it,"  and  as  Mrs.  Moreton  said 
this  she  opened  an  armoire  door,  and  after  fumbling  among 


A    TALE    OF    fiOUTIIERX    LIFK.  155 

various  vials  and  papers,  slie  took  something  in  her  hand, 
and  excusing  herself  to  Annie,  was  about  to  leave  the  room, 
when  she  turned  and  said :  "  Mrs.  Mildmay,  perhaps  you 
would  like  to  walk  down  to  the  quarters  with  me." 

Annie  at  the  instant  hearing  the  voice  of  her  husband 
and  Mr.  Moreton  on  the  front  gallery,  as  if  engaged  in  an 
interesting  conversation,  at  once  assented,  and  at  Mrs. 
Moreton's  suggestion,  put  on  a  large  sun-bonnet  that  was 
lying  near  by  in  a  chair.  Thus  equipped,  she  and  Mrs. 
Moreton  proceeded  down  stairs  and  passed  into  the  yard 
back  of  the  house,  a  number  of  little  negroes  instantly  pre- 
senting themselves,  who  ran  ahead  and  opened  the  garden 
gates. 

The  buildings  occupied  by  Mr.  Moreton's  negroes,  were 
quite  a  feature  of  his  plantation.  When  he  first  moved 
upon  it,  he  found  nothing  but  a  few  '  log  pens.'  One  of 
them  he  fitted  up  for  himself  and  wife,  for  he  had  no  chil- 
dren at  that  time ;  and  as  soon  as  he  got  somewhat  settled 
his  first  improvements  consisted  in  the  erection  of  sixteen 
commodious  cabins,  that  were  in  equal  numbers  arranged  in 
two  parallel  lines,  making  what  appeared  to  be  the  begin- 
ing  of  a  handsome  street.  At  the  head  was  built  a  large 
double  cabin,  with  a  spacious  verandah,  as  the  house  of  the 
overseer.  These  buildings  finished,  Mr.  Moreton  contin- 
ued for  a  long  time  to  reside  in  his  now,  by  contrast,  still 
more  humble  hut,  and  he  became  for  a  while  quite  famous 
for  furnishing  his  negroes  better  houses  than  he  himself 
occupied. 

"  Have  you  had  much  sickness  on  your  place  ?  "  inquir- 
ed Mrs.  Moreton,  as  she  walked  alon<r. 


156  THE  master's  house; 

"  Some,"  said  Annie,  liesitatingly,  "  but  I  have  never 
seen  any  myself." 

"  Is  it  possible  ?  "  returned  Mrs.  Moreton ;  "  how 
have  you  been  so  fortunate  ?  "  she  asked,,  with  a  face  ex- 
pressive of  surprise. 

"  Why,  I  have  never  been  told  by  Mr.  Mildmay  that  I 
should  go  to  the  quarters  on  such  occasions,  and  I  am  sure 
I  would  not  volunteer." 

"  I  have  been  accustomed  from  my  childhood  up,"  half 
musingly  said  Mrs.  Moreton,  "to  nurse  with  my  own  hands 
the  sick. — I  did  it  on  my  father's  place,  and  have  continued 
to  do  it  ever  since  I  was  married  to  Mr.  Moreton."  As 
the  lady  concluded,  she,  with  Annie,  stepped  into  Aunt 
Dinah's  cabin. 

In  a  room  sixteen  by  twenty  feet  in  size,  and  destitute 
of  furniture,  save  a  very  rude  bedstead,  the  frame  of  which 
was  nailed  against  the  wall,  lay  stretched  out  the  form  of 
the  patient — of  the  sick  Dinah, 

/  Annie  drew  back  with  considerable  dread,  when  she 
first  looked  into  the  cabin  of  the  slave,  but  seeing  Mrs. 
Moreton  enter,  and  with  the  most  sympathetic  manner, 
proceed  at  once  to  the  bedside  of  the  patient,  she  af- 
fected to  overcome  her  great  repugnance  and  followed  her 
hostess. 

"  How  do  you  feel,  Dinah  ?  "  said  her  mistress,  taking 
the  sick  woman's  hand  unresistingly  in  her  own. 

The  negress  seemed  to  have  fallen  into  a  doze,  and  when 
she  opened  her  eyes,  the  astonishment  she  displayed  was 
unbounded,  as  she  beheld  not  only  her  mistress,  but  the 
delicate  form  of  Annie  bending  over  her. 


A,    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE,  157 

"  "What  is  the  matter  ?  "  inquired  Mrs.  Moreton,  with  a 
soothing  voice. 

"  I  done  got  berry  sick,"  said  Dinah,  still  in  wonder. 

"  Let  me  look  at  your  tongue,"  said  Mrs.  Moreton. 

The  negress  did  as  she  was  desired,  and  Mrs.  Moreton, 
after  a  moment's  speculation,  said  : 

"  Dinah,  you  have  been  eating  something  to  make  you 
sick ;  I  see  it  by  your  high  fever,  and  believe  it,  because 
little  Ann  gives  me  to  understand  you  have  been  complain- 
ing again  of  pain." 

"I  ain't  done  eat  nothin',"  said  the  woman  stolidly, 
and  giving  a  sigh,  at  the  same  time  groaning  and  turning 
her  face  to  the  wall. 

Mrs.  Moreton  was  not  to  be  deceived.  To  Annie's  sur- 
prise she  cross-questioned  the  woman,  and  again  looked  at 
her  tongue,  and  finally  pressed  her  delicate  fingers  upon 
the  negress'  chest. 

"  I  see  how  it  is,"  said  Mrs.  Moreton  finally,  a  shade  of 
regret  passing  over  her  face,  "  you  have  been  to  the  water- 
melon patch,  and  have  likely  killed  yourself." 

"  Aint  done  eat  nothin,'  "  repeated  Dinah. 
Hasn't  Dinah  been  eating  water-melon?"  said  Mrs. 
Moreton  to  little  Ann,  who  just  at  that  moment  came  into 
the  cabin. 

"  Only  one,  missis,"  said  the  child. 

Mrs.  Moreton  sat  down  at  the  foot  of  the  dirty  bed,  as 
if  perfectly  disheartened,  and  with  a  face  full  of  feeling  she 
said  to  Annie : 

"  Mrs.  Mildmay,  I  sat  up  nearly  all  last  night  with  that 
negress,  and  got  her  through  a  critical  sickness,  and  now  you 


158  Till-;  masiek's  iiotse  ; 

see,  by  her  own  imprudence,  my  labor  is  lost,  and  perbaps 
bar  life  endangered,"  and  then  turning  to  little  Ann,  sbe 
said :  "  go  over  to  the  bouse,  and  tell  your  Mistress  Mar- 
garet, to  send  me  tbe  bottle  of  medicine  I  was  using  yes- 
terday." 

"  Yes  'em,"  said  little  Ann,  running  out  to  perform  tbe 
errand. 

"  How  came  you  to  disobey  me  ?"  said  Mrs.  Moreton, 
turning  to  tbe  invalid. 

"  'Cause  I  bad  notbin'  to  eat,"  gruffly  replied  tbe  pa- 
tient. 

"  Did  you  not,"  said  Mrs.  Moreton,  "  get  some  soup  to- 
day  tbat  I  made  for  you  myself?  " 

"  Never  got  notbin',"  said  tbe  negress,  growing  still 
more  sullen. 

"  Ab  me  !  "  said  Mrs.  Moreton  mucb  annoyed,  and  turn- 
ing to  Annie,  sbe  said  : 
'  "  You  will  find,  Mrs.  Mildmay,  after  you  bave  bad  my 
>,  ,:  experience,  tbat  a  planter's  wife  is  tbe  greatest  slave  tbat 
exists.  If  I  don't  see  to  eveiy  tbing,  all  goes  wrong.  Tbe 
sou^p,  tbat  I  prepared  to-day  witb  so  mucb  care  for 
tbis  very  negress,  I  bave  no  doubt  was  eaten  up  by  little 
Ann." 

By  tbis  time,  little  Ann  bad  returned,  bringing  Mrs. 
Moreton's  parasol. 

"  I  did  not  send  you  for  tbis,"  said  Mrs.  Moreton,  in 
great  vexation.  "  Wbat  did  you  tell  Mistress  Margaret  I 
wanted  ?  " 

"  Something  you    done  bad    yesterday,  missis,"  said 


A    TALE    OV    SOUTHERN    LIKE.  159 

little  Ann,  perfectly  unconscious  that  she  head  made  any 
mistake. 

"  I  see  how  it  is,"  remarked  Mrs.  Moreton,  taking  up 
the  parasol,  "  I  shall  have  to  go  back  to  my  room,  and 
either  return  myself  or  send  down  Aunt  Margaret,  or  I 
shall  never  be  certain  that  what  I  desire  is  done  aright," 
and  wrapping  her  shawl  around  her,  the  two  ladies  walked 
slowly  home. 

"  I  am  sure,"  said  Annie,  after  they  left  the  hearing 
of  the  patient,  "  that  I  never  can  be  so  good  a  nurse  as  you. 
Why,  Mrs.  Moreton,"  she  continued,  "I  cannot  over- 
come my  repugnance  to  the  blacks  enough,  to  bear  with  com- 
fort the  necessary  presence  of  my  servants,  and  I  fear  that 
I  could  never  be  of  use,  by  the  side  of  those  that  are  sick." 

"  I  never  had  such  feelings,"  said  Mrs.  Moreton,  -with- 
out expressing  the  least  emotion  of  curiosity  or  surprise. 

The  moment  that  the  mistress  and  guest  were  gone, 
Violet,  who  watched  them  from  the  chamber  window,  went 
back  into  the  room  where  she  first  met  Annie,  and  taking 
up  that  lady's  bonnet  she  placed  it  upon  her  head,  and 
drawing  the  ears  close  down  to  her  face,  she  surveyed  the 
effect  with  evident  admiration.  She  next  put  on  the  riding 
habit  and  throwing  a  shawl  over  her  left  arm,  she  graceful- 
ly lifted  the  long  skirt  from  about  her  feet,  and  commenced 
a  pantomime,  in  which  was  displayed  with  artistic  perfec- 
tion, not  only  Annie's  manner,  but  also  Mrs.  Moreton's,  and 
the  nice  distinction  which  Violet  niade  in  the  characters, 
as  she  carried  on  an  imaginary  conversation,  could  not  be 
excelled. 

The  "  favorite  servant "  then  leaned  aifectedly  upon  a 


160  THE  master's  house; 

high-backed  arm-cliau*,  and  eyeing  the  red  velvet  of  the 
upright  cushion  with  the  most  languishing  expression,  she 
said  :  "  Why,  Mr.  Mildmay,  I  am  so  fatigued,  I'm  mighty 
glad  we  got  to  Mr.  Moreton's,  it's  so  very  warm  to-day;  " 
then  throwing  the  shawl  around  her  shoulders,  she  wrapped 
it  close  to  her  person,  and  completely  changing  her  voice, 
she  continued  :  "  Eeally,  I  am  so  perfectly  distracted  with 
the  noise  of  the  children,  and  the  care  of  them  miserable 
idle  servants,  Mr.  Moreton,  that  I  shall  certainly  go  crazy." 
Next  falling  into  the  chair  and  assuming  a  benign  smile, 
she  turned  towards  the  door  and  went  on  :  "  There,  sister, 
is  that  dear  smart  child  again.  Come  here,  Toots,  don't 
you  see  your  mother  is  annoyed ;  come,  go  down  with  Aunt 
Margaret  and  leave  these  unkind  people,"  and  then  jump- 
ing up,  in  the  imaginary  person  of  Annie  Mildmay,  she 
courteseyed  around  the  room ;  until,  perceiving  her  mistress 
just  at  the  entrance  of  the  house,  she  hastily  threw  aside 
her  borrowed  plumage,  and  met  that  lady  in  the  great  hall, 
with  a  meekness  and  innocence  of  face,  that  was,  perhaps, 
the  best  piece  of  acting  she  performed  throughout  the  day. 

In  the  front  door  of  the  house  stood  Aunty,  with  the 
baby.  Aunty  was  a  tall,  ungainly-looking  woman,  but  pos- 
sessed a  fine  expression  of  countenance,  and  had  a  voice 
that  sounded  unusually  cultivated  for  a  negro. 

As  Annie  attempted  to  pass  on  she  was  naturally  at- 
tracted to  the  infant,  whose  little  dimpled  hands  and  arms, 
and  innocent  unformed  face,  formed  a  strong  contrast  with 
its  hard-visaged,  sable  nurse.  Annie  stopped  short,  and 
raising  both  hands  in  admiration,  exclaimed  : 

"  The  dear,  dear,  sweet  little  cherub." 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  161 

Aunty  smiled  at  tins  involuntary  compliment  to  licr 
charge,  as  much  as  if  it  had  been  iutonded  for  herself,  and 
raised  "  the  cherub  "  to  give  Annie  a  better  view. 

The  baby's  head  rolled  from  side  to  side,  on  its  little 
shoulders,  while  its  eyes  stared  out  on  vacancy,  showing 
that  the  mind  had  not  yet  lit  up  the  clear  pupil  of  black 
and  blue. 

"  The  dear  sweet  cherub  !  "  again  exclaimed  Annie,  as 
she  buried  the  child  in  her  flaxen  curls. 

"  She's  moughty  sweet  indeed !  "  finally  ejaculated  Aunty, 
"  dat  child,  young  mistress,  knows  too  much  for  her  age." 

"  Knows  too  much?"  said  Annie,  laughing  outright  at 
the  very  idea  of  such  a  thing. 

"  Why,  sartain,"  returned  Aunty  ;  "  for  dat  are  child 
will  set  and  study,  and  think  all  day ;  she's  too  smart  en- 
tirely, and,"  concluded  the  faithful  nurse,  in  a  commisera- 
ting voice,  "  if  she  don't  stop  a-doing  it,  she'll  never  make 
old  bones,  sure  and  sartain." 

Again  Annie  gave  the  prematurely-wise  infant  another 
kiss,  and  heartily  amused  at  the  enthusiasm  of  the  old 
negress,  followed  Mrs.  Moreton  to  her  room. 


162  THE  master's  house  ; 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE     HOSPITABLE     BOARD. 

Throughout  the  day,  a  great  bustle  had  prevailed  in  Mrs. 
Moreton's  kitchen.  Viney,  the  cook,  was  by  due  notice 
informed  of  the  expected  visit  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mildmay, 
and  had  been  told  to  get  as  excellent  a  dinner  as  possible, 
in  honor  of  the  occasion.  Viney  had  great  pride  in  her 
department,  and  was  determined  to  do  something  that 
would  do  honor  to  the  family.  The  consequence  was,  that 
she  had  managed  to  get  some  half-a-dozen  negroes  added  to 
the  already  over-abundant  supply  natural  to  Mr.  More- 
ton's  house  ;  and  the  kitchen  was  not  only  crowded  with 
every  variety  of  dish,  for  the  garnishment  of  the  table, 
but  it  was  also  crowded  with  negroes,  who,  on  the  pre- 
tence of  helping  the  bustling  and  important  Viney,  were 
really  helping  themselves. 

The  rustling  of  ladies'  dresses  in  the  hall,  finally  an- 
nounced, indirectly,  to  the  gentlemen,  that  dinner  was  on 
the  table ;  and  by  the  time  they  reached  the  parlor,  the 
folding-doors  were  thrown  open,  and  the  ladies  were  dis- 
covered, already  seated  at  the  hospitable  board. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERy    LIFE.  163 

Col.  Lee  was  all  compliments,  and  before  taking  his 
seat,  he  congratulated  Mrs.  Moreton  on  her  fine  appear- 
ance, expressed  the  most  profound  pleasure  at  meeting 
with  Mrs.  Mildmay,  "  of  whose  beauty  he  had  heard  so 
much,"  and  then  seated  himself  beside  Aunt  Margaret, 
whom  he  called  "  a  lady  of  the  Old  Dominion." 

Mildmay  was  more  ceremonious,  and  after  expressing 
his  pleasui-e  at  seeing  Mrs.  Moreton,  and  Mrs.  Marbury 
(Aunt  Margaret),  he  gave  a  look  of  pleasurable  intelli- 
gence to  Annie,  and  seated  himself  by  her  side.  This 
being  done,  Mr.  Moreton  took  his  place  at  the  head  of  the 
table,  and  looking  over  the  viands  and  his  guests,  with  in- 
tense satisfaction,  he  ordered  the  soup  to  be  handed  round, 
and  fell  himself  to  carvino;  the  mao;uificent — and  on  a 
Southern  table,  never  to  be  dispensed  with — ham,  that  un- 
til then,  untouched  by  knife,  was  resting  before  him. 

On  the  first  sound  of  the  spoons  upon  the  dishes,  there 
came  a  noise  in  the  hall,  as  of  heavy  drops  of  rain  beating 
upon  a  roof;  then  could  be  heard  children's  voices,  and  in 
another  instant,  a  dozen  or  more  of  boys  and  girls,  of  all 
sizes  and  ao-es,  came  rushing;  into  the  dining-room,  clamor- 
iug  for  something  to  eat,  and  evidently  urged  on  by  a 
score  of  little  negroes,  that,  in  the  rear,  ably  supported 
these  impetuous  applicants. 

''  These  children  must  all  be  carried  off,"  said  Mr. 
Moreton,  holding  up  his  carving-knife  and  fork,  and  look- 
ing around  as  if  he  expected  every  moment  that  he  him- 
self would  be  devoured. 

"  Toots  ain't  doin  'way ! "  said  that  little  romp,  tum- 
bling from  some  place  plump  into  the  middle  of  the  room, 


164  THE    MASTEU'S    HOUSE; 

"  me  doiu  to  eat  dinuer,  and  sassenger,  and  cake,  and  pie, 
and — and — and  ehickenses,"  and  when  she  got  thus  far, 
Mrs.  Moreton  put  her  hands  to  her  ears,  and  begged  Aunt 
Margaret  "  to  take  iliat  child,  and  all  the  children,  away, 
until  dinner  was  ovei-." 

"  Take  Toots  up  ! "  said  Aunt  Margaret  to  a  matronly- 
looking  negro  woman,  the  seamstress,  who  had  volunteered 
to  wait  on  the  table ;  "  take  Toots  up ! "  continued  Aunt 
Margaret,  "  and  amuse  her  as  you  best  can." 

"  I  won't  go  to  Phyllis  !"  said  Toots,  jumping  up  and 
down  the  room,  and  falling  heels  over  head  against  Annie's 
feet. 

"  Come,  little  missis  !  "  said  Phyllis,  catching  hold  of 
Toots,  "  come,  and  I'll  tell  you  that  pretty  story."  Toots 
yielded  in  an  instant,  and  fairly  springing  into  her  nurse's 
arms,  she  could  be  heard  rattling  away,  until  her  voice  was 
lost  in  the  distance,  telling  Phyllis  how  much  "  she  liked 
to  hear  that  pretty  'tory  of  the  horses,  and  cagiges,  and 
womens,  and  dogs." 

Meanwhile  the  mass  of  the  children,  including  George, 
Augustus,  Minty,  Clotilde,  Charley,  and  "  little  Moreton," 
made  a  compromise  with  their  father,  that  they  were  to 
have  a  table  set  in  an  adjoining  room  (this  was  a  favorite 
plan  of  the  servants) ;  in  the  meanwhile,  they  were  to  go 
out  in  the  yard  and  play. 

Phyllis  carried  Toots  into  the  main  road,  and  sitting 
down  under  the  shade  of  a  magnificent  live-oak,  she  spread 
a  shawl  on  the  ground,  on  which  she  put  her  little  mistress, 
and  told  Toots  for  the  fortieth  time  the  following  story ;  it 
being  remarkable,  that  at  each  relation,  Toots  made  the 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  1G5 

same  comments,  asked  the  same  questions,  and  appeared 
more  than  at  any  previous  time,  breathless  with  excited 
interest. 

"  Dar  was  once,  young  missis,"  began  Phyllis,  "  a 
white  gentleman,  as  married  another  wife,  and  she  was  the 
stuck-upest  woman  that  never  was." 

"  What  did  she  do?"  asked  Toots,  out  of  breath  with 
expectation. 

"  Why,  whipped  all  her  black  people,  just  for  nothin'  at 
all,"  continued  Phyllis. 

"She  wouldn't  whip  you,  would  she?"  said  Toots, 
throwing  her  arms  round  Phyllis's  neck. 

"  Wal,  I  'spect  not,"  said  the  girl,  caressing  the  child, 
''  but  now  listen, — you  see  dis  stuck  up  white  lady  had 
three  daughters,  the  biggest  ones  she  made  set  in  the  par- 
lor, xmder  'skeeter  bars,  all  day,  and  do  nothin'  but  have 
the  black  people  wait  on  'em,  all  the  time ;  and  de  other 
daughter,  who  was  mighty  handsome,  was  kept  up  stairs, 
and  wouldn't  done  let  her  go  riding  horseback,  nor  to  New 
Orleans,  nor  nowhar. 

"  Now,  you  see,"  continued  Phyllis,  "  somebody  on  de 
'jining  plantation  gave  a  big  ball,  and  'vited  all  de  great 
people,  but  didn't  'vite  little  Cind'rella;  her  stuck-up 
mother  wouldn't  let  her  go  along  with  her  bad  sisters." 

"  I'd  a  kicked  and  hollered,  and  told  father,  if  they 
didn't  let  me  go  to  ball,  and  have  cake,  and  candies,  and 
ochancies,  and  apples." 

"  I  know  you  would,"  said  Phyllis,  looking  admiringly 
at  Toots,  "  but,  you  see  that  this  little  Cind'rella  didn't 
do  it,  but  just  staid  at  home  and  cried  ;    when  dar  was  an 


1G6  THE  master's  house; 

old  woman  with  a  cap  on,  and  a  long  nose,  and  a  broom- 
stick oum'd  into  the  room,  and  asked  Cind'rella  if  she 
wanted  to  go  to  the  ball,  'cause  her  sisters  had  done  gone 
already.  Now  Cind'rella  she  couldn't  go  in  course,  for 
you  see  she  had  no  handsome  dress  with  yaller  ribbons, 
and  blue  trimmings,  and  big  breastpin,  no  carrige  to  ride, 
nor  any  black  people  to  drive  to  the  ball ;  now  this  old 
woman  was  a  fairy." 

"  What's  a  fairy  ?  "  said  Toots,  wonderingly. 

"  A  fairy,"  said  Phyllis,  looking  rather  foolish,  "  is 
somebody  that  nobody  owns,  dat  just  goes  about  doin' 
nothin',  and  having  every  thing  they  wants,  dat's  a  fairy. 
Miss  Toots.  And  now,"  she  continued,  "  listen  what  de 
fairy  done  did  for  Cind'rella ;  she  tuck  a  punkin,  and 
made  a  carrige,  and  six  mouses  for  horses,  and  a  big  rat 
for  a  coach-driver,  and  put  a  new  dress  on,  and  new  shoes 
on  Cind'rella,  and  a  charm  to  make  her  look  handsomer 
than  ever,  and  sent  her  oS  to  the  big  ball. 

"  You  see,"  continued  Phyllis,  "  dat  de  old  fairy  told 
Cind'rella  dat  she  must  cum  home  afore  daybreak,  her  pass 
was  up  you  see  by  dat  time,  and  if  she  stopped,  de  patrol- 
ers  would  cotch  her.  Now  Cind'rella  was  a  danctn'  a 
'giny  reel,  with  the  young  master,  who  owned  two  hundred 
black  people,  and  dey  had  plenty  music,  six  banjos,  and 
three  fiddles,  but  den  daybreak  cum  all  ov  a  sudden,  and 
Cind'rella,  'spectin'  her  pass  wouldn't  do  no  longer,  tuck 
to  her  heels,  and  left  her  shoe  in  de  middle  of  de  floor. 

"  Now  de  rich  young  man,  dat  owned  two  hundred 
black  people,  was  in  lub  wid  Cind'rella,  and  as  he  couldn't 
find  her  plantation ;  he  sent  all  his  black  people  out  to  find 


A   TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  1G7 

cbe  young  missis  that  lost  her  shoe  at  de  time  de  dancing 
■was  gwine  en  ;  at  last  dey  found  her  up  in  do  arbor  sound 
asleep,  wid  one  shoe,  and  dey  know'd  it  was  her,  and 
dcy  had  a  big  weddin',  and  every  body  cum — Mr.  Mild- 
may,  and  Col.  Lee,  and — " 

"  Cousin  Annie,"  suggested  Toots. 

"  Yes,"  said  Phyllis,  "  Mistress  Annie — and  all  do 
black  people  was  dressed  up,  a  waitin'  on  de  tables,  and 
such  a  time  was  never  know'd  afore." 

"  Oh,  how  I  would  like  to  have  been  there !  "  said 
Toots,  clapping  her  little  hands,  "  wouldn't  I  had  fun,  and 
thrown  turkey  bones  across  the  table,  and  made  mother 
take  me  in  her  lap,  and  sing  me  to  sleep  when — "  and 
Toots  rose  from  her  reclining  position,  and  attempting  to 
spin  round,  to  show  Phyllis  how  she  would  go  to  sleep, 
she  twisted  the  shawl  about  her  feet,  and  as  usual,  rolled 
heels  over  head,  but  instantly  releasing  herself,  she  went 
whooping  off  down  the  road,  in  pursuit  of  a  gaudy  butter- 
fly, that  was  fluttering  along,  seemingly  on  purpose  to  en- 
tice the  little  fairy  away  from  home. 

Mr.  Moreton's  children  assembled  in  the  lawn,  accom- 
panied by  all  the  little  negroes  that  could  be  gathered  up 
on  the  plantation ;  and  it  was  enthusiastically  agreed  to 
play  "  Runaway."  George,  a  boy  about  ten  yeai-s  of  age, 
was  captain ;  and  in  his  imperative  manner,  and  restive- 
ness  under  restraint,  displayed  toward  his  little  dependents, 
was  a  perfect  representation  of  his  father.  He  organized 
the  play  that  gave  them  all  so  much  pleasure. 

A  little  negro,  some  eight  years  old,  named  Puggy 
Bill,  selected  because  he  was   a  favorite  with   "  young 


168  THE  master's  house; 

master,"  personated  the  "runaway;"  and  according  to 
direction,  he  tracked  oyer  the  lawn,  running  around  the 
trees,  and  behind  the  out-buildings, — turning  and  twisting 
in  every  possible  direction,  so  as  not  to  cross  his  own  foot- 
steps. The  children,  white  and  black,  watching  the  course 
of  this  little  "  star  ui  the  comedy,"  and  occasionally  shout- 
ing out  their  pleasure,  whenever  Puggy  Bill  showed  any 
unusual  degree  of  shrewdness  in  tracking  his  devious  way. 

At  the  feet  of  George  was  held,  by  several  officious 
little  negro  boys — a  young,  and  scarcely  weaned,  deer- 
hound.  The  animal — ^pup  though  it  was,  showed  by  its 
heavy  limbs,  long  silken  ears,  and  bright  eyes,  that  it  was 
of  game  blood.  It  seemed  to  understand  that  it  occupied 
a  prominent  place  in  the  amusements  of  the  hour,  and 
rested  patiently  until  it  was  time  for  action. 

At  J^ngth  Puggy  Bill  completed  his  circuit,  and  came 
up,  quite  out  of  breath,  to  the  group  he  some  fifteen  min- 
utes before  had  left;  when,  at  a  given  signal,  "  Clamper," 
the  puppy,  was  put  on  "the  trail;"  and  as  he  set  ofi^, 
childish  shouts  encouraged  him  on  his  way.  The  dog, 
with  his  nose  close  to  the  groimd,  followed  Puggy  Bill's 
tracks  with  a  precision  that  gave  the  children  the  greatest 
delight ;  and  as  he  wound  around  and  followed,  to  admiring 
eyes,  the  unseen  course,  he  was  continually  cheered.  Ex- 
cited himself,  at  last,  as  he  was  nearing  the  end  of  the 
chase,  the  puppy  began  to  give  forth  cries  of  excitement, 
and  opened  its  unformed  throat,  andyelped  with  puppy  joy. 

Presently  he  threaded  the  group  of  children,  and 
leaped  rapturously  on  Puggy  Bill,  who  received  the  favor- 
ite with  open  arms,  covering  him  with  caresses  ;  "  young 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  169 

master"  Greorge,  meanwhile,  goiiig  on  with  various  expli- 
catives,  as  if  the  rimaway,  although  caught,  had  made 
resistance,  and  consequently  had  to  be  beaten,  or  shot 
down. 

The  sumptuous  dinner  was  brought  to  a  close, — Annie 
stood  under  the  gallery,  equipped  in  her  riding-dress, — 
Col.  Lee  had  insisted  that  her  palfrey  should  be  brought 
close  up  to  the  door.  Mr.  Moreton  and  Aunt  Margaret 
shook  Annie  cordially  by  the  hand,  and  repeated  over  and 
over  again  the  pleasure  they  had  experienced  in  her  so- 
ciety. Mr.  Moreton  and  Col.  Lee  courteously  contended 
who  should  assist  Annie  on  her  horse,  who,  fairly  mounted, 
waved  her  adieus ;  and  Mildmay,  springing  in  the  saddle, 
lifted  his  hat,  and  in  a  moment  more  he  and  his  young 
wife  were  cantering  down  the  road, — the  declining  sun 
cautioning  them  that  they  must  be  quick-footed,  if  they 
would  not  be  surrounded  while  in  the  forest  by  the  soli- 
tude of  night. 


170  THE  master's  house; 


CHAPTER    XV. 


THE    TITLE    DEED. 


"^  Squire  Andrew  Hobev  was  professedly  a  justice  of  the 
peace ;  his  chief  business,  however,  was  writing  out  bills 
for  the  sale  of  negroes.  He  was  natiu-ally  a  pompous  man, 
but  generally  concealed  this  peculiarity,  as  he  was  depend- 
ent upon  the  good  will  of  the  populace  for  his  official  dig- 
nity. Hobby  had  a  high  regard  for  Mildmay,  simply 
because  that  gentleman  had  never  treated  him  with  the 
least  passing  notice ;  and  he  was  accordingly  quite  flat- 
tered, when  Mildmay  cheeked  his  horse  in  front  of  his 
little  office  one  morning,  and  stated  that  he  desired  at  a 
particularly  named  time  his  official  services  at  the  "  Heri 
tage  Place." 

"  And  what  is  it  you  desire  of  me  ?"  inquired  Hobby 
before  Mildmay  had  time  to  finish  his  commission. 

"  Simply,"  returned  Graham,  "■  to  execute  the  papers 
for  the  sale  of  a  negro  ;  and  my  reason  for  troubling  you 
to  come  out  to  my  house  is,  that  it  may  possibly  be  incon- 
venient for  Mrs.  Mildmay  to  visit  Beeehland,  to  sign  the 
title  deed." 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  lYl 

"  I'll  come  out  with  pleasure,"  said  Hobby,  rubbing 
Lis  hands  with  excitement ;  "  this  office  of  mine  is  not 
much  of  a  place  to  invite  ladies  in." 

"The  office  is  well  enough,"  said  Mildmay;  "but 
ladies,  you  are  aware,  find  it  difficult  to  leave  home." 

"  They  do,"  returned  Hobby,  with  emphasis ;  and 
suddenly  assuming  his  natural  manner,  he  continued, 
"  Ladies  thrive  best  in  the  domestic  circle,  surrounded  by 
the  endearments  of  home ;  and,  as  the  editor  of  the  South-* 
ern  War  Trumpet  observes,  depending  for  support  upon 
the  sterner  sex,  as  the  vine  xipon  the  lordly  oak." 

"  You  are  quite  an  enthusiast,  Mr.  Hobby,  when  allud- 
ing to  the  sex,"  returned  Mildmay,  gathering  up  the  loose 
bridle-reins,  and  preparing  to  leave. 

"  Quite,"  said  Hobby,  trying  to  look  impressive  ; 
"  duite,  Mr.  Mildmay,  for  we  can  never  return  the  debt  of 
gratitude  we  owe  to  woman." 

(rraham  struck  his  spur  gently  into  his  horse's  flanks, 
and  as  the  generous  animal  started  off,  he  muttered  to 
himself,  "  Confound  that  fellow's  stereotyped  compli- 
ments ;  why  don't  he  practise  some  of  his  professions,  by 
taking  the  most  ordinary  care  of  his  notoriously  neglected 
wife." 

When  Mildmay  reached  home,  Mr.  Speers  was  waiting 
for  him  upon  the  gallery  of  the  house.  Mildmay  saluted 
the  gentleman,  and  after  a  few  moments'  conversation 
with  Annie,  returned  to  his  guest. 

"  I  saw  Squire  Hobby,"  said  he,  drawing  up  a  chair, 
and  ordering  Governor  to  bring  some  refreshments ;  "  and 


172  THE  master's  house; 

I  presume  lie  will  soon  be  here,  as  I  saw  his  horse  saddled 
before  I  left  town." 

"  I'm  not  specially  engaged  at  this  time,"  returned 
Speers,  in  a  drawling  voice,  filling  his  tumbler  half  full  of 
brandy,  and  declining  any  water.  "  I've  been  over  the 
crap  this  morning,'  he  continued,  "  and  though  smartly 
in  the  grass,  I  reckon  the  niggers  can  get  along  without 
being  touched  up,  till  night,  if  they  must." 

"  I  am  very  sorry,"  said  Mildmay,  going  to  his  desk, 
and  getting  out  some  papers,  "  that  Mr.  Murritt,  when  he 
sold  me  the  girl  Mary,  did  not  say  you  owned  her  hus- 
band." 

"  He  wouldn't  a'  told  you  that,  and  been  sharp  at  a 
trade,"  said  Speers,  his  eyes  twinkling  at  the  preposterous 
idea  of  a  trader's  saying  any  thing  to  interfere  with  a  bar- 
gain; "for,"  he  suggested,  *'maybee,  you  wouldn't  have 
bought  the  girl,  if  you  know'd  she  had  been  separated  from 
her  husband." 

"  I  certainly  would  not,"  said  Mildmay,  his  face  flush- 
ing with  excitement. 

"  And  do  you  'spose,"  said  Speers,  with  a  kind  of  tri- 
umph unconsciously  displayed  in  his  voice,  "  that  Murritt 
could  make  a  living  if  he  consulted  his  niggers  as  to  how 
he  should  sell  'em?" 

Mildmay  bit  his  lip,  and  internally  acknowledging,  in 
spite  of  himself,  that  his  long  residence  in  the  North  had 
unprepared  him  somewhat  for  the  associations  aroimd  him ; 
and,  at  the  moment,  perceiving  the  busy  Mr.  Hobby  ap- 
proaching, he  walked  toward  the  gate  to  meet  him,  and 
lead  the  way  to  the  house. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  173 

Again  tlie  ceremony  of  drinking  was  gone  through 
with,  much  to  the  gratification  of  Speers  and  Hobby, — the 
latter  gentleman  observing,  much  to  the  admiration  of 
Speers,  , 

"  That  if  he  ever  did  own  a  big  plantation,  he  rather 
thought  if  he  hadn't  any  thing  else  good,  he  would  have 
'No.  1,'sperits;"  when,  suddenly  recollecting  that  Speers 
owned  only  a  small  plantation,  he  continued,  smiling  toward 
that  gentleman,  "  in  the  mean  time,  I'd  have  plenty  of 
plain  whiskey." 

"  This  Mildmay  is  rather  a  stiff  man,"  said  Speers, 
looking  nervously  about,  Graham  having  for  the  moment 
left  his  guests. 

"  He  is,"  almost  whispered  Hobby ;  "  but  you  see," 
he  went  on,  "  it's  the  way  with  the  rich, — ^they  can  afford 
to  put  on  airs." 

"  But,"  continued  Speers,  with  a  sort  of  injured  ex- 
pression, "  Mildmay  won't  drink, — ^won't  frolic, — won't 
card, — ^won't  chaw, — and  smokes  a  cigar  as  if  he  did'nt 
love  it;  what  kind  of  a  man  is  that?"  and  Speers  looked 
at  Hobby  as  if  he  had  given  a  question  too  difficult  for 
human  solution.  * 

"  Why,  you  see,  the  fact  is,"  said  Hobby,  puckering 
up  his  mouth  with  the  expression  that  he  assumed  when 
on  "  the  bench,"  "  you  see  Mr.  Mildmay,  though  born  in 
old  Carolina,  was  raised  among  the  Yankees,  and  his  edi- 
cation  has  been  neglected ;  I  haven't  lived,  Mr.  Speers,  in 
Becehland  nigh  on  to  fifteen  years  for  nothing  : "  and 
Hobby  looked  more  profound  than  ever,  and  touching 
Speers  upon  the  breast,  he  continued : 


174  THE  master's  house; 

"  We  have  had  a  good  many  cases  here  like  Mildmay, 
that  didn't  cut  up  such  shindys  more  than  a  year  or  two, 
and  then  begun  and  went  it  strong  to  make  up.  Why 
Jim  Ruggles,  as  keeps  tlje  race-track,  and  was  tried  last 
court  for  stocking  cards,  commenced  here  nine  years  ago 
worse  than  Mildmay." 

"  That  Jim  Ruggles  is  a  good  fellow,"  said  Speers, 
with  gx-eat  sympathy,  and  not  exactly  comprehending  Esq. 
Hobby's  meaning ;  and  he  continued,  with  some  anima- 
tion, "that  'ere  'ditcment  'bout  the  cards  was  done,  just 
'cause  Ruggles  is  so  poor  that  he  can't  pertect  himself 
from  abuse." 

"That's  true, — that's  true,"  said  the  politic  Hobby; 
"  for  you  see,"  added  he,  "  Major  Lively  said  to  the  court, 
'  that  if  wringing  in  an  ace  or  two  at  the  last  game  was 
to  be  made  a  fine  of,  why  he  could  present  the  hull  bar 
to  the  grand  jury; '  and  so  the  matter  dropped." 

When  IMildmay  returned  to  the  gallery,  he  was  accom- 
panied by  a  negro  girl  about  twenty  years  of  age,  whose 
drabbled  homespun  garments  betrayed  that  she  had  but 
just  left  the  wet  grass  of  the  cotton  field. 

"Here's  Mary,"  said  he,  to  Mr.  Speers;  "you  have 
seen  her,  and  are  willing  to  purchase  her  at  the  stipidated 
price  of  six  hundred  dollars  ?" 

Speers  rolled  his  eyes  over  towards  the  girl,  and  exam- 
ined her  from  head  to  foot ;  then  getting  up,  and  whirling 
her  round  by  a  rough  jerk  of  her  shoulder,  and  stooping 
down  and  rubbing  with  his  finger  a  perceptible  scar  on  the 
calf  of  the  girl's  leg,  he  again  seemed  desirous  to  take  a 
good  look,  and  stood  off,  and  put  himself  in  an  attitude 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  175 

assumed  by  connoisseurs  when  viewing  at  a  rare  picture. 
Ho  then  turned  to  her,  and  abruptly  said, 

"  How  come  that  scar  on  your  leg?  " 

"  It's  whar  a  dog  bit  me,'.'  said  the  girl,  with  perfect 
indifference.  "  Squire  Hobby,"  said  Speers,  "  look  at 
that  scratch  there,  and  tell  me  if  you  believe  that  girl's 
lying." 

Hobby  at  once  assumed  his  official  face,  and,  stooping 
down,  appeared  to  make  a  most  critical  inspection. 

"  What  do  you  think  of  it  ? ''  said  Speers,  finally  grow- 
ing impatient. 

"  Why,"  said  the  learned  justice,  "  it  mout  have  been 
made  by  a  lash,  and  it  mout  have  been  made  by  a  dog's 
bite,  or  a  brier ;  I  suspect  it  was  the  effect  of  accident,  as 
the  girl  says." 

"  That's  enough,"  said  Speers,  seeming  to  be  relieved  ; 
"  for  you  see,"  he  continued,  '  I  don't  buy  no  scarred 
niggers;  if  I  want  any  sich  marks  on  my  property,  I'll 
make  'em  myself." 

"  You  have  decided  positively  not  to  sell  this  girl's 
husband  to  me  ?  "  said  Graham. 

"Yes,"  said  Speers,  gruffly;  "for  you  see,  Mr.  Mild- 
may,  I  don't  know  why  I  shouldn't  own  a  good  nigger  as 
well  as  any  body  else." 

"  Nor  do  I,"  said  Mildmay,  thoroughly  annoyed ;  "  I 
wish  Mr.  Speers  you  owned  a  hundred,  if  you  desire  to, — 
only  I  regret  that  I  should  have  been  the  insti-ument  of 
separating  the  wife  from  a  negro,  to  whom  you  seem  so 
much  attached," 


1*76  THE  master's  house; 

Speers  evidently  felt  mortified  that  he  had  sjjoken  as 
he  did,  and  in  a  milder  voice  he  said, 

"  What's  the  use  of  troubling  ovirselves  whether  this 
gal  lives  with  Cooney  or  not;  she  can  find  husbands 
enough  on  Heritage  Place." 

"  Mary,"  said  Mildmay,  turning  to  the  negro,  "  when 
I  proposed  to  buy  you,  you  said  that  you  were  not  mar- 
ried?" 

"  So  I  did,  master,"  said  the  girl,  moodily,  "  but  if  I 
hadn't  told  you  so,  Mr.  Murritt  would  a'  killed  me  after 
you  went  away." 

"  Mr.  Mildmay,"  said  Speers,  perfectly  unconscious  of 
the  feelings  agitating  Graham's  breast,  "  if  you'd  like  to 
keep  that  gal,  you  needn't  be  afeard  that  Cooney  will 
come  on  your  premises  after  I  tell  him  to  keep  away ;  I 
would  like  to  own  a  nigger  that  would  go  whar  I  told  him 
not  to." 

"  It  is  not  best  to  tempt  him  so  strongly  to  disobey 
you,"  said  Mildmay. 

"  Well,  if  Cooney  disobeys  me,  it  shan't  be  any  trouble 
to  you,"  said  Speers,  trying  to  be  agreeable. 

"  You  see  Mary,"  said  Mildmay,  turning  to  the  girl, 
"  that  by  being  controlled,  you  deceived  me ;  now  you  are 
at  liberty  to  speak  the  truth :  do  you  prefer  to  go  with 
Mr.  Speers,  or  stay  with  me?" 

"  I  want  to  be  with  Cooney,"  was  the  terse  answer. 

"  Very  well,"  said  Mildmay ;  "  now  go  to  the  quarters, 
gather  up  your  clothes  and  bedding,  and  come  to  the  shed 
of  the  blacksmith's  shop  in  tlie  front  road." 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTUERN    LIFE.  177 

The  girl  replied,  "  Yes,  sir,"  and  walked  away. 

Mildmay  at  once  produced  pen,  ink,  and  paper,  and 
with  the  assistance  of  Governor,  they  were  with  a  table 
placed  on  the  gallery ;  and  Squire  Hobby  proceeded  to 
his  business  of  amanuensis. 

After  examining  the  pen  in  every  possible  light,  stick- 
ing the  nib  between  his  lips,  turning  round  the  paper,  and, 
in  fact,  going  through  much  seemingly  useless  pantomime, 
he  assumed  a  very  grave  face ;  and,  turning  to  Mildmay, 
said: 

"  What's  the  girl's  name  ?" 

"  Mary." 

"Her  age?" 

"  About  twenty." 

"  Consideration  ?  " 

"  Six  hundred  dollars,"  said  Speers. 

"  Cash?"  said  the  squire,  scratching  his  nose  with  the 
feather  end  of  the  pen. 

"  Cash,"  said  Speers,  pulling  out  a  roll  of  bills  and 
gold  half  eagles,  and  laying  them  down  on  the  table. 

These  questions  and  answers  having  been  obtained,  the 
squire  set  himself  to  work.  Graham  meanwhile  went  up 
into  Annie's  room,  and  informed  her  that  her  presence  was 
necessary  one  moment  to  sign  the  bill  of  sale. 

The  little  wife  was  trembling  and  nervous,  and  it  in- 
stantly attracted  Mildmay "s  attention.  "What  can  the 
matter  be,  Annie?"  said  he,  tenderly  putting  his  arm 
round  her  waist. 

"Nothing,"  said  she,  trying  to  look  unconcerned; 
"  but  you  know  that  I  am  not  accustomed  to  the  forms  of 
8* 


178  THE  master'?  house; 

business,  and  I  feel  an  unusual  amount  of  trepidation ; 
perhaps  I  am  not  as  well  as  I  might  be." 

"  I  fear  so,"  said  Graham,  looking  affectionately  down 
into  her  face ;  "  you  confine  yourself  too  much ;  let 
us  get  clear  of  this  loquacious  squire,  and  our  plain,  but 
I  have  no  doubt  worthy  neighbor,  Mr.  Speers,  and  then 
for  a  ride  down  the  road.  '  Sunnyside '  is  getting  as  fat 
as  a  Christmas  goose  just  for  want  of  exercise." 

"  A  ride  let  it  be,"  said  Annie,  with  animation ;  and 
arm-and-arm  they  proceeded  to  the  gallery. 

Meanwhile,  Squire  Hobby  was  intently  busy  on  the 
longest  word  in  the  matter  before  him ;  and  as  he  never 
could  master  that  particular  word  without  much  trouble, 
he  was  working  it  out,  by  pronouncing  aloud  each  letter  as 
he  went  along ;  while  Speers  was  intently  watching  pro- 
gress,— ^he  having  great  interest  that  every  thing  should  be 
done  right, 

"  There's  'redhibitory'  written  out  in  full,"  said  the 
squire,  breathing  freely,  as  if  he  had  accomplished  a  gi- 
gantic task. 

"  What  does  it  mean  ?  "  asked  Speers,  gathering  up  all 
his  money  in  his  hand. 

"  Why  it  means  just  this,"  said  the  squire,  waving  his 
pen  around  in  a  sort  of  flourish ;  "it  means  this  :  '  Kedhi- 
bition,  'cording  to  the  Code  (art.  2497),  means  the  avoid- 
ance of  sale  on  account  of  some  vice  or  defect  of  the  thing 
sold,  which  renders  its  use  either  absolutely  useless,  or  its 
use  so  inconvenient  and  imperfect,  that  it  must  be  sup- 
posed that  the  buyer  would  not  have  purchased  it,  had  he 
known  of  the  vice.'" 


A   TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  179 

-  "  Does  it  mean  all  that  'ere  ? "  said  Speers,  looking 
•with  a  sort  of  awe  upon  Hobby. 

"  It  don't  do  any  thing  else,"  said  the  squire,  really 
excited;  "  and  there's  many  a  lawyer  as  would  charge  you 
a  double  '  V  for  not  half  that  information." 

"  Has  Mary  got  any  thing  of  the  kind  you  have  just 
been  reading  about  ?  "  continued  Speers,  putting  back  his 
money  into  his  pocket. 

"  Not  as  I  knows  on,"  said  the  squire,  enjoying  the 
triumph  achieved  by  his  legal  knowledge ;  "  for  you  see, 
Mr.  Speers,  the  Code  says  : 

"  '  Nor  can  the  buyer  (art.  2498)  institute  the  redhibi- 
tory action,  on  account  of  the  latent  defects,  which  the 
seller  has  declared  to  him  before  or  at  the  time  of  the 
sale.' " 

"  What  does  that  mean?"  said  Speers,  his  ideas  now 
nearly  all  aground. 

"  Why,"  continued  the  squire,  "the  'latent  defects' 
of  niggers  and  animals,  'cording  to  the  Code  (art.  2500), 
is  divided  into  two  classes  ;  vices  of  body, — vices  of  char- 
acter. The  absolute  vices  of  horses  and  mules  is  short 
wind  and  glanders ;  the  absolute  vices  of  niggers  is  lep- 
rosy, madness,  and  epilepsy.  The  vices  of  character 
which  give  rise  to  the  redhibition  of  slaves  is,  that  the 
slave  has  committed  a  capital  crime,  or  is  addicted  to 
theft,  or  running  away ;  and  they  ain't  no  vices  of  charac- 
ter for  horses  set  down  in  the  Code  (art.  2505),  though  I 
think  stmnbling,  colic,  and  founder,  is  in  horses  redhibi- 
tory defects." 

"  But  you  don't  mean  to  say,"  said  Speers,  now  per- 


180  THE  master's  uouse  ; 

fectly  confounded,  "  that  that  'ere  nigger  I'm  going  to 
buy  of  Mr.  Milduiay  has  got  the  leprosy,  founders,  glan- 
ders, theft,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing,  do  you  ?" 

"  I  mean,"  said  Squire  Hobby,  endeavoring  to  imitate 
his  ideal  standard  of  judicial  dignity,  '■'  that  if  this  nif^ffer 
Mary  has  any  of  them  'ere  things,  and  you  find  it  out  afore 
it  is  too  late,  just  because  I  tuck  that  'ere  word  redhibi- 
tory down  where  it  is,  it  gives  you  your  money  back, — and 
that's  what  I  mean ;  "  and  the  squire  intended  to  have 
laid  back  in  his  chair,  as  if  deeply  fatigued  under  his 
official  importance,  when  his  eye  caught  sight  of  Mildmay 
and  Annie  coming  toward  them. 

The  delicate  sylph-like  beauty  of  Annie  attracted  both 
these  individuals ;  and  their  admiration,  involuntarily  ex- 
pressed, could  not  be  felt  less  than  complimentary — it  was 
so  sincere.  Annie  took  her  seat  near  the  table,  and  after 
a  few  moments'  pause.  Squire  Hobby  went  on,  and  com- 
pleted his  labor. 

The  moment  that  Mildmay  saw  the  paper  was  drawn 
up,  he  proposed  at  once  to  close  the  transaction,  pleading, 
as  a  reason  for  his  haste,  pressing  engagements  upon  his 
time.  This  would  have  been  done,  but  for  the  squire's 
vanity ;  his  quotations  from  the  Code  had  thrown  Speers 
into  a  profound  confusion,  and  he  stated  that  before  the 
paper  was  signed,  and  the  money  paid,  that  he  must  go 
out  and  take  another  look  at  Mary, — ^which  he  did,  and 
not  finding  visible  to  his  eyes  any  thing  as  alarming  as  the 
law  terms  he  had  heard,  he  signified  his  willingness  to  go 
on,  by  again  producing  his  gold  and  bills. 

After  considerable  time,  six  piles  of  money,  of  one  hun- 


A.    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  181 

dred  dollars  each  were  counted  out,  and  shoved  over 
towards  Esq.  Hobby,  Mildmay  remarking,  "  that  the 
amount  was  right." 

The  squire  inwardly  congratulated  himself  upon  the 
opportunity  he  had  of  displaying  his  varied  talents  before 
Annie,  and  in  an  unusually  loud  voice,  even  for  him,  began 
to  read  as  follows  : 

"  Beechland,  June  15th,  IS — .  Know  all  men  by  these 
presents,  that  I,  Graham  Mildmay,  of  the  first  part,  do,  by 
these  presents,  grant,  bargain,  sell  and  convey  to  Mr.  Jo- 
seph William  Speers,  of  the  second  part,  a  certain  negro 
girl  named  Mary  La  Tour,  aged  about  twenty  years,  of 
a  dark  and  nearly  black  color,  no  distinguishing  marks  of 
form,  scars,  or  peculiarities  remembered — " 

"  There  is  a  dog  bite  on  the  calf  of  her  leg,"  said 
Speers,  turning  perfectly  red  with  astonishment,  as  he 
raised  his  eyes  and  saw  Annie  looking  on  with  surprise, 
for  Speers,  was  so  intent  with  the  purchase,  that  the  read- 
ing of  the  bill  for  the  moment  banished  every  thing  else 
from  his  mind. 

"  It's  a  mere  form,"  said  the  squire,  gesticulating  with 
his  hand,  "  mere  form,  Mr.  Speers." 

"  And  more  verbose  than  positively  necessary,  is  it 
not  ?  "  said  Mildmay,  exceedingly  vexed  that  Annie  had 
been  compelled  to  be  present. 

''  Not  at  all,"  said  the  squire.  I  copied  this  form  from 
Col.  Lee's  document,  when  he  sold  Tom  Jefierson,  or  Jeff 
as  he  was  called,  and  it-  is  admitted  that  Leo  is  the  best 
lawyer,  being  from  old  Virginia,  to  make  tight  papers  in 


182  THE  master's  house; 

a  transaction  of  tliis  kind,  that  has  ever  been  in  Louisiana 
or  Mississippi  either." 

"  Well,  go  on,"  said  Mildmay  very  impatiently  ;  and  as 
if  to  protect  Annie  from  further  rude  remarks,  he  put  his 
arm  around  her  chair. 

"  Where  was  I  ?"  said  the  squire,  taking  up  the  paper 
before  him.  "  Oh — ah — I  know,"  and  he  went  on  as  fol- 
lows : 

"  No  distinguishing  marks  of  form,  scars,  or  particulars 
remembered ;  said  girl,  Mary  La  Tour,  being  sold  for  the 
sum  of  six  hundred  dollars,  lawful  money  of  the  United 
States,  cash  in  hand  paid,  and  hereby  acknowledged  by  the 
party  of  the  first  part,  Graham  Mildmay,  Esq.  The  said 
girl,  Mary  La  Tour,  being  fully  warranted  from  all  redhibi- 
tory defects,  sound  in  body  and  mind,  and  the  title  guar- 
antees, against  all  others  for  ever,  the  said  Mary  La  Tour 
as  a  slave  for  life." 

Annie,  who  had  listened  to  all  the  proceedings  with 
mechanical  attention,  now  arose,  as  Graham,  taking  the  pen 
in  his  hand,  signified  that  the  title  deed  was  complete. 
He  then  dashed  his  name  across  the  paper,  placed  the  pen 
in  Annie's  hand,  and  pointed  where  she  should  place  her 
name. 

"  Is  this  positively  necessary  ?  "  said  she,  looking  earn- 
estly at  Graham.  "  Most  certainly,"  said  Squire  Hobby, 
"you  see,  madam,  your  paraphernal  rights  would  other- 
wise vitiate  the  title." 

"  And  breaTc  up  the  trade,"  chimed  in  Speers. 

Annie  took  up  the  pen,  and  her  usually  delicate  and 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  183 

neatly  -written  name  straggled  over  the  paper,  a  fearful 
evidence  to  Graham's  eye  of  the  conflict  going  on  in  An- 
nie's mind,  which  he  alone,  of  those  who  witnessed  it,  could 
appreciate. 

The  duty  performed,  Mildmay  accompanied  Annie  to 
the  entrance  of  the  great  hall  where  stood  Clemmy ;  and 
leaving  her  with  the  faithful  servant,  Mildmay  returned, — 
took  up  the  money  still  lying  on  the  table,  and  crushing 
it  together  in  his  hand,  without  counting  it,  much  to 
the  astonishment  of  Speers,  gave  it  to  Governor,  and 
told  him  to  place  it  in  the  escritoire,  and  get  some  fresh 
water  and  the  decanters,  as  he  presumed  the  gentlemen 
were  thirsty. 

The  ceremony  of  drinking  having  been  gone  through 
with,  Mildmay  paid  Esq.  Hobby  for  his  services,  walked 
down  to  the  front  gate,  waited  until  both  gentlemen  had 
mounted,  and  bidding  them  good  day,  returned  rapidly  to 
the  house . 

Speers  and  Hobby  rode  along  a  rod  or  two,  when  they 
came  up  to  Mary,  who  was  sitting  in  a  listless  attitude  on 
the  stump  of  a  fallen  tree,  her  bundle  beside  her. 

"  Here's  your  owner,"  said  Hobby,  thus  giving  the  in- 
troduction, "  and  a  good  master  he  will  be  too,"  continued 
he,  the  politician  never  deserting  him. 

Mary  looked  up,  and  shouldering  her  bimdle,  quietly 
asked,  "  Master,  which  way  must  I  go  ?" 

"  Cross  the  bayou  beyond  here,  at  the  old  ruined  gin- 
house,"  said  Speers,  pointing  down  the  road  with  his  heavy 
whip,  "  go  through  the  woods  and  you  will  see  Cooney  with 


184  THE  master's  house  ; 

tlie  other  niggers  at  work  in  the  field,  ask  him  for  a  hoe, 
and  stir  your  stumps  until  I  come." 

"  Yes,  master,"  said  Mary,  and  then  she  glibly  marched 
away,  while  Speers  and  Hobby  together  rode  toward 
Beechland. 


A    TALE    OP    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  185 


CHAPTER    XVI. 


DIXON  S     REMORSE. 


There  was  living  in  the  vicinity  of  Beechland,  a  rich  wi- 
dow, known  as  Mrs.  Hartshorn,  past  the  prime  of  life,  and 
who,  being  deeply  absorbed  in  the  duties  of  personally 
looking  after  a  large  estate,  attracted  but  little  attention 
in  the  vicinity.  Her  residence  was  much  out  of  the  way, 
and  no  one,  except  on  business,  or  with  direct  intent,  ever 
visited  her. 

Why  she  remained  a  widow  q|j|sed  the  Visual  specula- 
tion, but  it  was  evident  that  she  was  either  disinclined  to 
enter  a  second  time  into  the  bonds  of  matrimony,  or  was 
difficult  to  please,  for  many  authentic  cases  were  known, 
and  freely  spoken  of,  where  she  had  almost  rudely  refused 
some  of  the  presumptuous  worthies  in  the  neighborhood. 

On  the  edge  of  Beechland,  just  at  the  cross  roads,  was 
an  old  and  much  decayed  church.  Years  previous,  it  had 
been  a  pretty  village  sanctuary,  and  beneath  its  shadow 
reposed  the  remains  of  many  of  the  earlier  settlers  of  the 
country.  But  for  a  long  time  it  had  been  neglected.  The 
doors  were  battered  in, — the  windows  broken, — the  grave- 


18G  THE  master's  house: 

yard  fence  nearly  destroyed, — in  short  it  was  tlie  resting- 
place  of  domestic  animals,  and  never  of  any  philanthropic 
use,  unless  for  the  temporary  shelter  it  afforded,  as  a  rest- 
ing-place for  the  night,  to  passing  emigrants. 

One  afternoon,  to  the  astonishment  of  the  villagers, 
some  twenty  of  Mrs.  Hartshorn's  best  field  hands  came 
into  town  in  an  ox  wagon,  and  as  they  proceeded  along 
through  the  street,  made  the  air  vocal  with  their  rude 
songs,  and  finally,  stopping  in  front  of  the  deserted  church, 
they  went  to  work  with  hoe  and  shovel,  and  in  the  course 
of  a  few  hours  produced  an  improvement,  that  was  charming 
to  behold. 

The  doors  were  partially  restored  to  their  places.  The 
seats  and  floor  of  the  interior  of  the  building  were  carefully 
cleaned,  and  the  labor  thus  bestowed,  rendered  the  hereto- 
fore neglected  building,  considering  the  mildness  of  the 
weather,  a  comfortable  place  for  the  assembling  together 
of  the  people : 

The  succeeding  rnGgning  the  Southern  Clarion^  the 
local  paper  of  Beechland,  in  the  most  conspicuous  place  in 
its  editorial  columns,  contained  the  following  notice. 

"  We  have  the  pleasure  of  announcing  to  oui*  numerous 
readers,  and  all  others  in  the  vicinity  of  our  thriving  and 
prosperous  town,  that  the  Eeverend  W.  Claremont  Gos- 
hawk, D.  D.,  the  great  orator  and  divine,  who  has  so  long 
been  distinguished  for  his  defence  of  Southern  institutions, 
and  his  deep  intei-est  in  the  cause  of  Southern  education, 
has  consented,  at  the  earnest  request  of  some  of  our  most 
influential  citizens,  to  preach  a  series  of  two  or  more  ser- 
mons.    His  first  discourse  will  be  on  Sunday  morning  next, 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTUKKN    LIFE.  187 

and  he  will  probably  continue  with  us  throughout  the  entire 
week.  It  is  presumed  that  he  will  be  greeted  with  an 
overflowing  audience.  We  hardly  think  that  it  is  neces- 
sary to  remind  our  readers,  that  Mr.  Goshawk,  on  a 
recent  visit  to  the  North,  was  attacked  by  many  of  the 
fanatical  clergymen  in  that  part  of  the  country  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Christian  slaveholders,  and  that  his  defence  of  our 
time-honored  institution,  was  admitted  to  be  the  finest 
piece-  of  eloquence,  and  most  stirring  appeal  that  has  ap- 
peared for  years ;  he  entirely  silenced  the  wolves  in  sheep's 
clothing,  who,  under  the  guise  of  the  religious  cloak,  are  car- 
rying torches  in  their  hands  to  fire  the  temple  of  our  great 
republic.  By  the  kindness  of  one  of  our  most  beautiful  and 
accomplished  ladies  in  the  vicinity  of  Beechland,  who  has 
in  this  case  acted  in  a  manner  so  characteristic  of  the  gen- 
tler sex,  our  little  temple  of  worship,  so  long  the  cherished 
ornament  of  our  town,  and  whose  spire  so  plainly  points  the 
way  to  heaven,  has  been  thoroughly  scrubbed  out  and 
renovated,  and  will  afford  comfortable  seats  for  our  entire 
population." 

The  weather  was  exceedingly  pleasant,  and  there  was  a 
universal  desire  to  hear  the  Rev.  Mr.  Goshawk.  That 
dignitary,  himself,  had  been  for  more  than  a  day  the  in- 
mate of  Mrs.  Hartshorn's  house,  for  it  was  suddenly  re- 
called to  the  mind  of  some  of  the  people  around  the  Head- 
quarters, that  early  one  morning,  they  saw  a  tall  and 
good-looking  gentleman,  dressed  in  black,  in  ihe  widow's 
carriage,  which  was  rapidly  whirling  through  the  streets. 

Perhaps  Annie  was  more  interested  than  any  one  else ; 
accustomed  to  attend  church  every  sabbath,  from  her  youth 


188  THE  master's  house: 

4 

upward,  she  found  this  privilege  most  difficult  to  dispense 
with,  and  the  moment  the  public  notice  met  her  eye,  she 
consulted  Grraham,  who  gave  Governor  orders  to  have  the 
carriage  in  readiness  for  the  following  Sabbath  morniug. 

For  a  long  time  Beechland  had  not  borne  so  gay  an  ap- 
pearance, as  it  did  in  its  desire  to  do  honor  to  the  Kev. 
Mr.  Groshawk.  Families  living  many  miles  distant,  had 
come  to  "  hear  the  discourse,"  and  almost  all  of  the  avail- 
able ground  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  church,  was 
occupied  by  splendid  "  turn-outs," — in  fact  the  carriages,  in 
number  and  equipments,  would  have  done  honor  to  some 
state  occasion. 

People  who  had  been  living  in  each  other's  neighbor- 
hood for  years,  now  met  to  renew  acquaintances  that  had 
grown  dull  for  want  of  attrition,  and  a  genial  feeling  per- 
vaded the  entire  assemblage. 

The  very  sight  of  the  pleasing  throng,  the  subdued, 
yet  self-evident  bustle,  revived  in  Annie's  mind,  most 
vividly,  the  joyous  feelings  that  she  felt  at  Maiden,  on 
similar  occasions,  and  a  delightful  glow  of  excitement  lit 
up  her  usually  rather  pale  face,  as  she  absolutely  threw 
herself  carelessly  into  Mildmay's  arms,  as  he  assisted  her 
from  the  carriage  to  the  ground.  "  Really,  Graham,"  said 
she,  her  face  radiant  with  smiles,  while  smoothing  the 
wrinkles  from  her  dress,  "  really  this  is  pleasant,  and  I 
hope  Mr.  Goshawk  will  frequently  preach  for  us ;  I  am 
sure  I  shall  constantly  attend." 

Graham  smiled  on  Annie,  and  offering  her  his  arm, 
the  two  proceeded  into  church.  It  was  the  first  tiuie  that 
Annie  had  been  seen  in  public ;  nmch,  of  course,  had  been 


A    TALE    OF   SOUTHERN    LIFE.  189 

said  about  her,  in  the  ncighborbood  ;  curiosity  was  raised 
to  know,  "  if  so  handsome  and  rich  a  young  man  as  Mr, 
Mildmay,  had  really  done  as  well  as  be  deserved  !  "  But  it 
was  evident  that  the.  verdict  was  in  Annie's  favor,  for  as 
she  came,  necessarily,  in  full  view  of  the  congregation,  who 
sat  facing  the  door,  a  telegraphic  surprise  rested  upon  the 
countenances  of  all,  and  it  was  by  G-raham  observed  and  felt, 
that  Annie  excited  marked  admiration. 

As  for  Annie,  herself,  the  moment  she  stepped  inside 
of  the  church,  she  felt  a  solemnity  of  feeling  pervade  her 
heart,  that  drove  all  other  thoughts,  for  the  moment,  from 
her  mind,  as  she  passed  to  a  proffered  scat,  and  bent  her 
head  in  prayer,  as  perfectly  self-possessed,  as  if  kneeling 
at  her  little  altar  in  her  own  room. 

The  congregation  had  been  some  time  in  their  seats,  be- 
fore the  reverend  gentleman  made  bis  appearance.  In  fact, 
the  first  impression  of  quietness  that  prevailed,  was  be- 
o-inning  to  give  way.  Gentlemen  were  seen  to  be  moving 
about,  and  looking  at  the  door,  and  one  or  two  went  out, 
while  the  young  ladies  began  to  gaze  about,  and  recognize 
each  other  in  the  congregation,  while  G-overnor,  and  bis 
fellow-servants  on  the  outside,  it  was  very  evident,  from 
sounds  of  suppressed  laughter,  had  got  together  under  the 
shade  of  a  wide-spreading  tree,  and  were  detailing  gossip, 
and  cracking  jokes. 

Suddenly  was  heard  the  tramp  of  horses,  driven  rapidly 
along  the  road, — the  whip  cracked,  at  which  two  or  three 
saddle  nags  broke  their  bridles,  and  scampered  down  the 
village  street, — steps  were  heard  rapidly  imfolded — a  sort 
of  kid  glove,  a  gossamer  fan  confusion  ensued  in  the  con- 


190  THE  master's  hoitse; 

gregation,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Groshawk,  supporting  widow 
Hartshorn,  made  his  appearance. 

it  was  afterwards  asserted  by  some  one,  careful  in  such 
statistics,  that  almost  every  gentleman  in  the  congregation 
rose  involuntarily  to  offer  the  widow  a  seat ;  but  nothing 
could  surpass  the  dignity  and  urbanity,  with  which  the 
reverend  gentleman  abandoned  his  precious  charge,  prepa- 
ratory to  ascending  the  pulpit. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Goshawk's  appearance  and  manner  were 
decidedly  impressive,  and  he  himself  was  not  unconscious 
of  the  fact.  After  remaining  a  few  moments  in  silent 
meditation,  with  his  soft  white  hand  pressed  to  his  head, 
he  beckoned  to  a  negro  boy,  looking  in  at  a  side  window, 
and  when  the  fellow  climbed  up  into  the  pulpit,  he  whis- 
pered something  in  his  ear.  A  long  and  mysterious  pause 
ensued,  while  the  boy  ran  over  to  the  Head-quarters,  and 
borrowed  a  pitcher  and  tumbler,  and  returning,  set  them 
within  reach  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Goshawk. 

That  gentleman  arose,  and  opening  a  small  gilt-edged 
book,  read  the  beautiful  hymn,  beginning : 

"Sweet  is  the  day  of  sacred  rest, 
All  mortal  cares  forsake  the  breast," 

and  finishing  it,  desired  some  one  present  to  be  so  kind  as 
to  "  lead  the  singing,"  and  resumed  his  seat. 

Several  moments  elapsed,  but  no  voice  was  raised; 
it  was  apparent  that  one  or  two  gentlemen  were  half  in- 
clined, but  their  hearts  or  voices  failed  them, — the  reve- 
rend gentleman  finally  arose,  and  commenced  himself.  He 
was  evidently  cultivated  in  church  music,  and  poured  out 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  191 

a  volume  of  praise,  that  even,  unsupported  as  it  was, 
sounded  like  an  organ. 

Scarcely  had  he  sung  the  first  line,  when  a  sweet  fe- 
male voice,  clear  as  ringing  glass,  and  as  hearty  as  the 
birds  of  the  field,  joined  in,  and  the  two,  in  wonderful  ac- 
cordance and  harmony,  concluded  the  stanza. 

The  congregation,  for  the  moment  entranced  at  the  un- 
expected exhibition,  the  instant  it  ceased,  turned,  by  uni- 
versal consent,  their  eyes  upon  the  innocent  face  of  Annie, 
who,  suddenly  perceiving  the  extraordinary  interest  she 
had  so  unconsciously  created,  blushed  deep  crimson,  and 
sank  back  to  her  seat. 

The  reverend  gentleman  selected  for  his  text,  "  Be 
ye  holy,  as  your  Father  in  heaven  is  holyf''  and 
he  made  it  appear  as  if  this  injunction  was  one  of  the 
most  literal  in  the  sacred  book,  one  of  the  most  impera- 
tive, and  necessary  to  be  obeyed.  He  drew  with  tremen- 
dous fervor  the  character  of  the  Great  Jehovah,  stated 
that  none  could  look  upon  him  and  live,  that  he  filled  all 
space,  was  the  creator  of  all  things,  and  yet  desired  to  re- 
side in  the  heart  of  corrupt  and  fallen  man, — that  man,  in- 
clined as  he  was  to  wickedness,  "even  as  the  sparks  fly 
upward,"  was,  by  a  holy  life  and  godly  conversation,  to 
render  himself  a  fit  temple,  a  proper  temple,  a  worthy  tem- 
ple, for  this  holy,  just,  and  omnipotent  Being, — and  then 
in  a  few  condensed  passages,  he  rapidly  portrayed  the 
punishment  of  those  who  refused  to  obey  this  dread  com- 
mand. 

The  congregation  was  swayed  to  and  fro,  as  if  rocked 
in  a  storm-driven  ship  ;  stern,  unflinching  men,  that  in  the 


192  THE  master's  house; 

hour  of  danger  knew  no  fear,  blanched  under  the  burning 
words,  and  ladies  wept,  and  sighed,  with  hysterical  emo- 
tion. 

Suddenly  Mr,  Goshawk  stopped,  he  appeared  pained 
at  the  effect  he  had  himself  produced.  Lowering  his  voice 
to  a  clear,  heart-breaking  tone,  he  said: — 

"  Brethren,  think  not  that  the  minister  of  the  Gospel 
delights  in  harrowing  your  feelings.  Should  he  consult 
himself,  he  would  only  salute  your  ears  with  the  dulcet 
strains  of  mercy,  but  alas !  wo  betide  the  prophet  who  re- 
fuses to  cry  out  against  Nineveh. 

"  If,  my  friends,  you  hear  at  the  solemn  hour  of  mid- 
night the  heart-rending  cry  of  fire — -fire — fire,  do  you 
rush  into  the  streets,  and  denounce  the  one  who  gave  the 
alarm  ?  no,  you  bless  his  name,  and  hastening  on,  you  flee 
for  youi-  life  from  the  devouring  element. 

"  So  stand  I  here,  crying  fire — fire — to  your  slumber- 
ing consciences.  I  would  have  you  escape  a  consuming 
flame,  that  will  not  only  destroy  your  bodies,  but  will  tor- 
ment your  souls  for  ever  Flee,  I  say, — ^like  Bunyan's 
Christian,  put  your  fingers  to  your  ears,  and  hasten  while 
you  yet  may,  out  of  the  City  of  Destruction." 

Among  Mr.  Goshawk's  hearers  was  Dixon.  He  had, 
some  weeks  before,  come  up  to  the  vicinity  of  Beechland, 
on  business,  and  having  been  taken  sick,  he  had,  while  thus 
prostrated,  almost  literally  passed  through  the  valley  and 
shadow  of  death.  The  balmy  weather  had  tempted  him 
into  the  street,  and  gratified  by  any  novelty,  he  had  strolled 
into  church. 

While  suffering  from  disease,  he  had  occasionally  re- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  193 

fleeted  upou  his  whole  course  of  life,  and  had  felt  many 
pangs  of  remorse  while  thinking  of  the  past ;  and  it  was, 
therefore,  in  a  very  proper  disposition  of  mind,  that  he  lis- 
tened to  this  most  powerful  discourse. 

When  the  congregation  separated,  the  diflferent  mem- 
bers pursued  their  way  homeward,  and  left  Dixon  by  him- 
self Although  known  to  almost  every  person  in  the  house, 
no  one  recognized  him,  save  by  a  glance.  Amid  all  the 
shaking  of  hands  and  congratulations,  there  were  no  de- 
monstrations of  friendship,  or  interest,  for  him.  In  his 
usual  humor,  he  would  have  vented  his  spleen  in  muttered 
oaths,  and  in  a  thousand  recalled  circumstances  of  fancied 
power  and  superiority,  that  he  had,  as  an  offset  to  any  neg- 
lect he  might  receive;  but  now  his  spirit  was  broken. 
There  was  something  in  Mr.  Goshawk's  manner  and  voice, 
that  recalled  recollections  of  childhood,  when  he  used  to 
go  to  church  with  his  good  old  mother,  and  on  coming 
home,  hear  her  talk  of  the  feelings  that  animated  her 
spirit.  A  thousand  words  of  good  advice,  a  hundred 
prayers  for  her  dear  child,  crowded  upon  his  weakened 
brain,  and  he  felt  that  he  was  not  only  despised  by  man,  \ 
but  also  abandoned  by  his  Maker. 

To  such  an  extent  was  his  mind  excited,  that  he  hardly 
had  strength  to  get  to  his  lodgings,  which  were  comfort- 
able, although  connected  with  the  "  Head-quarters." 
Once  in  his  room,  he  threw  himself  on  the  bed,  and 
seemed  to  be  overcome  by  the  communing  of  his  thoughts; 
the  acts  of  his  life  appeared  in  review  before  hun,  and  he 
was  shocked  at  the  scenes  of  injustice,  bloodshed,  and 


194  THE  master's  house; 

violence  through  which  he  had  passed,  and  which  he  had 
instigated. 

Although  Dixon  was  a  native  of  Georgia,  it  had  been 
impressed  upon  him  while  still  a  child,  not  only  that  it  was 
an  unpardonable  thing  to  buy  and  sell  his  fellow-beings, 
but,  also,  that  it  was  sinful  even  to  hold  slaves.  Dixon's 
mother  was  a  strict  Methodist,  and  she  had  been  inspired 
by  this  feeling  in  her  youth,  by  the  teachings  of  parents, 
who  claimed,  while  sitting  under  the  unction  of  John  Wes- 
ley's preaching,  and  listening  to  his  voice  "  'face  to  face,' 
that  they  had  been  converted  from  the  error  of  their  ways, 
and  convinced  of  the  sin  of  holding  slaves."  These  were 
the  impressions  left  by  a  mother  upon  the  mind  of  Dixon, 
and  as  every  reminiscence  of  his  life,  that  was  pleasant  to 
dwell  upon,  was  associated  with  that  mother,  so  also  were 
the  impressions  she  left  most  vivid  and  most  binding  on 
his  conscience.  And  these  early  instructions  now  came 
upon  him  with  tenfold  force,  as  the  only  legacy,  and  only 
remembered  councils  and  obligations  of  one,  whom, 
clouded  as  was  his  conscience  in  other  things,  he  still  re- 
vered as  a  sainted  being. 

While  in  this  mental  agony,  Dixon's  friend,  Puckett, 
who  had  so  faithfully  nursed  him  through  his  long  sick- 
ness, came  into  his  room,  with  a  pack  of  cards  and  a 
couple  of  tumblers  in  one  hand,  and  a  bottle  of  whiskey 
in  the  other,  and  setting  them  down  on  the  table  near  by, 
he  turned  to  Dixon,  and  said : 

"  Come,  old  fel',  I  have  brought  you  up  some  '  pietcrs,' 
and  also  something  to  drink,  for  you  see  you  can  stand  a 


A    TALE    OF    SOLTUEKN    LIFE.  195 

little  now,  and  I  thought  as  how  you'd  like  to  have  a  game 
of  *  old  sledge,'  just  to  pass  away  time." 

"  I'm  too  sick  to  play,  Puckett,  and  too  weak  to  drink ! 
some  other  time ! "  said  Dison,  the  perspiration  starting 
on  his  brow,  both  from  excitement  and  weakness. 

"  Bah  !"  said  Puckett,  moving  a  small  table  into  the 
middle  of  the  floor ;  "  you  don't  s'pose,"  he  continued, 
"  I've  been  a  mother  to  you  for  these  three  weeks,  not  to 
know  what  you  can  stand.  Drink  a  little,  any  how,  is  my 
motter ;  and  drink  a  good  deal  if  you  can,  is  my  other 
motter.  Come  now,  fotch  up  your  chair,  and  let's  high, 
low,  Jack,  and  the  game,"  and  Puckett  gave  the  cards, 
or  "  picters,"  as  he  called  them,  a  scientific  shuflle. 

"  I  can't  play  to-day,"  said  Dixon,  peevishly,  and  as- 
tonished, himself,  at  the  repugnance  he  felt ;  "  I  can't  play, 
for,"  he  continued,  "  you  know  it's  Sunday,  Puckett." 

At  this  remark  the  Kentuckian  put  down  the  cards, 
and  laying  back  in  his  chair,  and  thrusting  his  legs  far 
under  the  table,  he  broke  out  into  repeated  bursts  of  laugh- 
ter ;  tears  streamed  down  his  cheeks,  and  at  last  he  rolled 
his  head  from  side  to  side,  as  if  he  was  too  full,  and  could 
not  get  relief  He  foimd  words,  however,  finally,  and  said : 

"  Dixon,  by  the  Lord  you  will  be  the  death  of  me — 
Sunday !  that's  a  good  one ;  can't  play  'cause  it's  Surday," 
and  Puckett  again  went  off  into  hysterical  laughter,  re- 
peating, "Dixon,  you  are  too  funny!  Oh!  that — that's 
too  good — too  good." 

"  But  I'm  serious,"  said  Dixon,  greatly  annoyed. 

"  That's  the  very  thing ! "  said  Puckett,  sticking  the 
pack  of  cards  in  hie  mouth,  to  keep  from  breaking  out 


196  THE  master's  house  ; 

again.  "  You  see  that's  tlie  joke,  one  would  s'pose  you  was 
in  real  'arnest,"  and  again  lie  rolled  about  in  his  chair,  and 
pushed  his  fists  into  his  aching  sides. 

"  Puckett,"  said  Dixon,  when  that  worthy  had  become 
somewhat  quiet ;  "  Puckett,  don't  go  down  stairs  and  blow 
on  me,  but  I  tell  you  the  truth  now,  when  I  say  I'm  going 
to  reform.  I'll  do  it,  Puckett,  and  you  may  laugh  as 
much  as  you  please." 

"  He  he — ha  ha  !  "  cachinated  that  worthy,  but  as  he 
looked  up,  and  saw  the  pale  and  excited  face  of  Dixon 
for  the  first  time,  a  feeling  of  alarm  came  over  him,  and 
rising  up,  he  said  : 

"  Why,  what's  the  matter,  old  boy,  you  look  as  white  as 
milk  and  water  ?  " 

"  Did  you  never  think  about  dying,  Puckett,  or  any 
thing  of  that  sort  ?  "  inquired  Dixon,  at  a  loss  to  know  how 
to  get  his  naturally  good-hearted  companion  serious. 

"Thought  about  dying?"  mechanically  echoed  he. 
"  Why,  yes,  I  thought  about  it  once,  when  I  got  out  of  to- 
backer,  but  I  don't  recollect  any  other  time." 

"  Did  you  never  think,  Puckett,  about  another  world, 
and  what  will  become  of  us  if  we  go  on  breaking  Sunday, 
playing  cards  and  drinking? — I  have  thought  of  these 
things.  I've  laid  here  on  my  back  for  days  and  nights 
and  been  full  of  thinking.  I've  been  a  bad  man,  Ben. 
I've  seen  sights  in  this  very  room  that  have  made  my 
brain  cold ;  it's  awful,  Puckett,  awful !  "  and  Dixon's  face 
settled  into  black  despair. 

"  What  did  you  sec,  Jim  ?  "  asked  Puckett,  perfectly 
at  a  loss  to  understand  the  slave-trader's  feelius'S. 


A    TALR    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  19*7 

"  I've  seen  dead  nigger  women,"  said  Dixon  in  reply," 
screetchin  to  me  for  their  children — I've  seen  nigger  men 
praying  for  their  lives — I've  seen  whole  gangs  of  niggers, 
with  their  backs  all  blood,  their  eyes  all  sunken,  pointing 
their  long  skinny  fingers  at  me,  and  they  keep  on  doing  it 
whenever  I'm  alone  !  " 

"  You  must  have  manyaporter,^''  said  Ben,  with  a  kind 
of  soothing  voice.  "  Didn't  you  see  rats  ?  "  hp  continued, 
with  an  equivocal  sniile,  and  looking  archly  at  Dixon. 
"  Why,  Jim  Kuggles,  after  he  had  his  last  frolic,  seed 
the  devil;  he  told  me  so  himself;  add  he  looked  like  a 
rattlesnake  forty  feet  long,  twisted  all  around  his  body, 
with  his  soft  jawed  and  infarnal  open  mouth  pat  up  agin  his 
face,  tongue,  pizen-hooks  and  all ;  so  seeing  niggers  is  noth- 
ing," and  Puckett  looked  at  Dixon  under  the  impression 
that  he  had  conveyed  much  consolation  by  his  remarks. 

"  I  wish  that  I  could  see  a  snake,  or  any  thing,  Puckett, 
but  niggers."  I'm  afraid  of  niggers,"  and  as  Dixon  said 
this,  he  nervously  clutched  his  rude  but  sympathizing  com- 
panion by  the  shoulder. 

"  Is  there  a  living  nigger  as  can  scare  Jim  Dixon?" 
asked  Ben  scornfully,  and  somewhat  confounded  at  the  ex- 
hibition he  had  witnessed. 

"  No,"  said  Dixon  in  a  hissing  whisper,  "  not  a  living 
nigger,  Puckett,  they  can't  scare  me ;  it's  dead  niggers  as 
claws  at  my  vitals,"  and  as  the  invalid  said  this,  he  fell  in 
a  fainting  fit  back  on  his  pillow, 

Ben  instinctively  lifted  Dixon  up,  chafed  his  temples, 
and  the  moment  that  he  displayed  returning  consciousness, 
gave  him  some  water.     The  sick  man  slowly  came  to  him- 


198  THE  master's  house  ; 

self,  and  after  staring  vaguely  about,  begged  Ben  to  put 
away  the  cards  and  bottle ;  close  the  window  blinds  and  set 
down  by  bis  bed,  while  he  tried  to  rest. 

It  was  not  long  before  Dixon  fell  into  a  lethargic  sleep, 
when  Ben  quietly  stepped  away,  and  proceeded  to  the  bar- 
room, where  sat  Busteed  and  three  or  four  of  his  patrons, 
engaged  in  one  of  their  usual  games  of  chance. 

As  the  Kentiickian  presented  himself,  Basteed  laid  down 
"  his  hand,"  and  with  unfeigned  astonishment  asked  : 

'<  What's  the  matter  ?  Puckett,  you  look  as  sickly  as  a 
glass  of  lemonade." 

"  Do  I  ?  "  said  the  '  mother,'  who  unconsciously  to  him- 
self, still  bore  traces  of  his  excitement  at  witnessing  Dix- 
on's sufferings—"  do  I  look  white  ?  well,  that's  a  good  one  ; 
and  what  do  you  suppose  is  the  reason  ?  "  said  Puckett,  ad- 
dressing the  men  before  him  in  a  mysterious  voice. 
"  Can't  say,"  was  the  universal  reply. 
''  Well,  boys,  you  see,"  said  he,  in  almost  a  whisper, 
"  Dixon's  tuck  too  much ;  he's  got  the  tremens  bad,  very 
bad ;  he's  seen  black  ghosts,  what  do  you  think  of  that  ?  " 
"  I  think  it's  humbug,"  said  Busteed,  and  with  his  com- 
panions he  resumed  his  game. 

"  Maybe  it  is,"  half  soliloquized  Puckett,  as  he  turned 
away — "  maybe  it  is,"  and  then  he  walked  up  and  down 
the  room,  for  the  first  time  in  his  life  in  profound  reflection, 
and  honestly  wondering  what  the  trader  did  mean. 

Dixon  slowly  recovered  his  strength  of  body,  but  not 
his  peace  of  mind.  Unable  to  go  much  about,  he  was  left 
to  the  solitude  of  his  own  chamber,  where  he  reviewed  the 
past  events  of  his  life,  and  determined,  so  far  as  it  was  in 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  199 

his  power,  to  reform  bis  manner  and  conversation,  and  also 
to  make  such  reparation  as  was  possible,  for  the  crimes  he 
had  committed  in  the  pursuit  of  his  business. 

On  the  plea  of  indisposition,  he  carefully  abstained  from 
the  company  of  his  former  boon  companions ;  and  he  was 
not  a  person  to  be  intruded  upon  when  he  expressed  a  dis- 
taste for  society.  In  his  solitude,  he  looked  forward  with 
considerable  interest  to  the  services  of  the  coming  Sunday ; 
having  a  vivid,  but  undefined  impression  from  what  he  had 
heard,  that  there  was  a  necessity,  not  only  for  morality  but 
for  holiness,  he  earnestly  desired  to  learn  the  way  that  such 
a  high  degree  of  perfection  could  be  reached, — at  the  mo- 
ment, no  definite  way  of  propitiation  presented  itself,  but 
liberal  charities  and  alms. 


200  THE  master's  house  ; 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

DIXON    ACQUIRES    PEACE    OF    MIND. 

The  Sabbath  morning  appointed  for  Mr.  Goshawk's  second 
discourse,  was  one  of  the  most  delightful  that  ever  shone 
upon  Beechlaud.  Mr.  Groshawk  was  late  in  coming ;  he  had 
been,  against  his  inclination,  detained  on  the  road,  and  al- 
though this  caused  considerable  uneasiness  among  the  mass 
of  the  congregation,  it  left  Dixon  more  time  to  thoroughly 
collect  his  ideas,  and  prepare  himself  according  to  his  own 
notions  for  the  services  of  the  day. 

On  the  previous  Sabbath,  occasion  had  been  taken  by 
Governor,  to  extend  his  acquaintance  among  the  servants 
out  of  doors,  who,  like  himself,  were  occupied  by  the  light 
labor  of  looking  after  their  master's  vehicles.  A  group  of 
carriage  drivers  had  huddled  themselves  beneath  the  shade 
of  a  wide-spreading  oak,  and  there  they  sat  in  cosy  and 
confidential  conversation. 

Among  the  group  was  Mr.  Moreton's  Quash,  a  fellow 
celebrated  among  his  own  race  as  a  wit,  and  he  kept  his 
auditors  in  constant  laughter,  only  suppressed  by  the  vicin- 
ity of  white  folks  in  the  cliurch.  * 


A    TAI-E    OF    SOUTHEKX    MFE.  201 

Quash,  finding  that  the  minister  did  not  arrive  at  the 
time  expected,  insensibly  became  animated,  and  putting  his 
hard  hand  upon  the  head  of  a  negro  sittl!^  next  to  him, 
said : 

"  Gentlem,  I  expose  to  gib  you,  widoutf  urder  circum- 
lotpation,  a  toast  " — general  attention  was  paid ;  "  now  I 
wishes  to  know  who  owns  dis  ere  eight-hundred-dollar  nig- 
ger carriage-driver,  belonging  to  Widow  Hartshorn  ? '' 

"  Why,  his  missus  owns  him,"  said  the  outsiders  all  at 
once. 

"  Who  owns  dis  nigger,  called  Monday  ?  "  repeated 
Quash,  looking  triumphantly  around. 

"  Why,  missus  owns  me,"  said  Monday,  getting  rather 
annoyed  at  being  made  a  butt. 

"  Dus  it  is,  gentlem,"  said  Quashee,  "  dat  de  niggers 
run  about  in  dese  supersilious  days,  and  like  de  poor  white 
man  don't  know  who  owns  him,  consequentially,  dis  culered 
gentlem  am  so  ignoramus  dat  he  aint  awar'  dat  he  is  pre- 
possessed by  de  very  gentlem,  dat  is  to  minister  de  consol- 
izations  of  de  good  book  to  de  sinners  dis  day." 

This  significant  allusion  to  the  possible  relation  the 
comical-looking  Monday  might  bear  toward  Mr.  Goshawk, 
was  received  by  Quash's  auditors  with  a  burst  of  laughter 
which  might  have  continued  apparently  until  now,  had  not 
a  carriage,  rapidly  driven,  scattered  them  from  the  imme- 
diate front  of  the  church  door ;  out  of  which  descended  the 
reverend  gentleman,  and  the  family  of  the  planter  at  whose 
house  he  was  the  temporary  guest. 

The  little  church  was  at  an  eai-ly  hour  crowded  to  its 
utmost  capacity,  and  in  an  obscure  corner,  among  the  lis- 


202  THE  master's  house  ; 

teners,  sat  Dixou,  Lis  face  beaming  with  expectation  and 
interest  ;  he  was  for  the  moment  transported  back  to  the 
days  of  his  boyhood  innocence,  the  active  scenes  of  his  life 
in  the  long  years  that  had  since  passed  had  faded  from  his 
mind,  and  a  future,  sanctified  by  good  resolves,  alone  occu- 
pied his  thoughts. 

The  preliminary  services  having  been  concluded,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Groshawk  rose  and  stated,  that  he  should  that  day  found 
his  sermon  on  part  of  the  second  verse  of  the  thirteenth 
chapter  of  Paul's  Epistle  to  the  Romans :  "  Whosoever 
therefore  resisteth  the  power,  resisteth  the  ordinance  of 
God:' 

In  his  preliminary  remarks,  he  stated  that  he  presumed 
the  institution  of  Slavery  was  most  absorbing  to  their  minds, 
and  that  therefore  he  had  concluded  to  confine  himself  to  its 
scripture  view.  That  he  had  more  recently  been  on  at  the 
North,  and  had  been  compelled  to  have  his  attention  drawn 
to  the  important  subject,  by  its  agitation  among  the  people 
he  had  so  recently  visited. 

At  this  announcement  Dixon  turned  fairly  pale,  and 
was  obliged  to  disguise  his  excitement  by  leaning  his  head 
upon  the  slip  before  him.  His  next  impulse  was  to  leave 
the  church,  for  he  shrunk,  in  his  then  humor,  from  having 
the  full  enormity  of  his  crimes  drawn  by  the  powerful  elo- 
quence of  the  preacher ;  but  recovering  himself,  he  deter- 
mined to  receive  the  reproof  in  store  for  him  with  a  peni- 
tent spirit,  and  as  part  of  the  penalty  he  had  to  pay,  for, 
as  he  thought,  "his  many  sins." 

"  Slavery,"  continued  Mr.  Goshawk,  "is  the  oldest  in- 
stitution relating  to  the  government  of  men  that  exists  in 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  203 

the  world.  The  Jewish  people,  among  whom  it  was  estab- 
lished as  an  accessory  of  their  civilization  (by  the  Almighty, 
because  they  were  his  chosen  people),  have  politically 
passed  away,  but  the  institution  remains.  It  was  ingraft- 
ed upon  the  world  and  humanity,  the  moment  the  surging 
waters  of  the  deluge  subsided  and  left  the  dry  land  to  ap- 
pear. For  it  was  even  then  that  the  decree  went  forth 
that  the  children  of  Ham  should  be  bondsmen  for  ever ;  yet 
in  the  face  of  this  startling  truth,  so  intimately  interwoven 
with  the  second  creation  of  the  world,  do  people  professing 
to  be  Christians,  profanely  attempt  to  put  their  hand  upon 
the  Ark,  and  by  their  weakness  would  arrest  the  decrees 
of  a  just,  though  inscrutable  Providence." 

Dixon,  as  these  announcements  one  after  another  struck 
his  ears,  was  perfectly  overcome  with  astonishment.  He 
rubbed  his  eyes,  as  if  trying  to  wake  up  from  a  sound  sleep 
— an  expression  of  incredulity  rested  upon  his  face,  and  he 
looked  around,  as  if  to  satisfy  himself  that  he  was  not 
dreaming. 

"  Again  I  ask,  if  slavery  were  this  ten-ible  evil,  would 
the  men  selected  by  our  Saviour,  to  carry  the  everlasting 
gospel  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  allowed  it  to  go 
uncondemned  ?  Could  these  martyrs  to  the  truth  be  charg- 
ed with  moral  cowardice  ?  No  !  for  men,  most  all  of  whom 
were  slain  alive  in  defence  of  their  cherished  principles, 
could  have  had  no  fear.  The  apostles,  if  they  had  been 
anti-slavery  men,  would  have  cried  aloud,  where  the  evil 
existed,  and  not  like  these  modern  disorganizers,  abused 
and  vilified  the  slaveholder,  when  not  only  out  of  the  way 
of  all  usefulness  but  of  all  responsibility. 


204  THE  master's  house  ; 

"  The  laws  of  Grod,  touching  the  subject  of  slavery,  are 
spread  as  clearly  through  every  part  of  the  Scriptures  as 
are  the  stars  in  the  firmament  of  heaven.  Human  reason 
may  do  battle  against  them,  but  the  only  result  will  be  the 
most  glaring  manifestation  of  mortal  weakness.  The  in- 
stitution of  slavery,  from  its  divine  origin,  must  continue 
so  long  as  sin  shall  have  a  tendency  to  lead  to  death,  so 
long  as  Jehovah  shall  rule  and  esercise  the  attributes  of 
mercy  to  fallen,  degraded  man. 

"  If  slavery,"  continued  the  preacher,  "  was  a  thing  as 
bad  as  its  ignorant  enemies  represent,  why  are  the  Scrip- 
tures so  silent  as  to  denunciations.  Innumerable  chapters 
can  be  found  justifying  it,  regulating  it,  yet  no  commands 
that  it  should  not  exist.  In  Genesis,  we  have  a  pleasing 
record  of  the  ameliorating  influence  of  slavery  even  in  those 
early  times.  '  Judah  said  unto  his  brethren,  what  profit 
is  it  if  we  slay  our  brother  and  conceal  his  blood  ?  Come, 
let  us  sell  him  to  the  Ishmaelites,  and  let  not  our  hand  be 
upon  him.'  The  saving  of  the  life  of  Joseph  was  the  conse- 
quence, and  following  it  came  all  the  blessings  that  through 
him  flowed  toward  the  children  of  Israel.  We  are  also  to 
notice,  brethren,  that  the  holding  of  slaves,  in  Jacob's  day, 
was  neither  illegal  nor  uncommon.  We  are,  therefore,  not 
surprised  that  history  gives  us  to  understand,  that  in  the 
golden  streets  of  Jerusalem  were  to  be  found  the  mart  for 
slaves.  I  can  imagine  the  patriarchs  of  old,  as  do  now  our 
noble  planters,  trafiieking  for  servants,  and  selecting  with 
care  those  which  best  answered  their  purposes. 

"  In  later  and  more  glorious  days,  the  streets  of  Kome, 
and  tho  se  of  every  dependency  of  that  great  republic  swarm- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIErtN    LIFE.  205 

ed  with  slaves.  They  were  at  times  butchered  without 
mercy,  thrown  to  wild  beasts  for  amusement,  and  were  even 
used  by  epicures,  as  food  for  their  petted  fishes.  Yet  our 
Saviour,  blessed  be  his  name,  raised  not  his  voice  against 
the  institution,  and  the  apostles  exerted  their  influence,  as 
in  the  case  of  Onesimus,  to  return  not  only  runaways  to 
their  masters,  but  to  frequently  exhort  them  to  be  obedient 
for  the  glory  of  God. 

"  What,"  continued  Mr.  Goshawk,  "  is  the  position  of 
the  slaveholder  ?  He  is  the  true  patriarch ;  the  parent 
of  a  large  family ;  his  duties  are  sacred ;  he  not  only  has 
the  bodies  but  the  souls  of  men  in  his  keeping  ;  he  educates 
and  religiously  instructs  his  dependants ;  if  they  are  sick, 
he  nurses  them ;  if  naked,  he  clothes  them ;  and  if  borne 
down  by  age  and  infirmities  provides  a  support  and  finds  a 
retreat  for  them.  Unlike  the  employer  of  the  free  laborer, 
his  care  never  ceases,  it  does  not  stop  the  moment  the  re- 
cipient is  no  longer  pecuniarily  useful. 

"  And  here,  brethren,  it  is  forced  upon  me  to  make 
those  personal  applications  of  our  discoui'se,  that  naturally 
arise  in  considering  this  interesting  theme.  It  is  charged" 
against  us,  that  our  peculiar  institutions  encourage  cruelty 
to  the  negro.  How  absurd  and  unchristian  is  this  scandal. 
Imperatively  commanded  by  the  Holy  Book  to  buy  slaves, 
we  are  also  enjoined  by  the  same  Holy  injunction,  to  keep 
them  in  obedience.  The  divine  law  shows  internal  evi- 
dence of  its  high  origin,  by  providing  for  the  punishment 
of  slaves  with  rods,  and  asserts,  that  if  the  slave  die  in  a 
day  or  two  after  his  beating,  yet  his  owner  shall  not  be  pun- 
ished, because  he  can  appropriate  to  his  own  use,  his  man- 


206  THE  master's  house; 

servant  or  his  maid-servant,  and  his  ox,  and  his  ass,  and 
any  thing  that  is  his. 

"  Are  we  immaculate  ?  are  we  not  subject  to  excitements 
like  unto  other  men  ?  Is  it  wonderful,  that  having,  by 
Providence,  the  great  responsibility  of  slave-holding  put 
upon  us,  that  we  should  in  the  administration  of  our  sacred 
office,  sometimes,  in  moments  of  excitement,  punish  not 
more  severely  than  the  law  permits,  but  more  than  our  in- 
terests justify  ?  Moses,  who  was  denominated  the  meekest 
of  men,  in  a  fit  of  passion  threw  down  the  hand-of-G-od-in- 
seribed  tablets  of  the  law ;  cannot,  therefore,  a  fatal  blow 
to  a  degraded  negro  be  passed  by  in  silence  ?  Peter,  who 
was  evidently  of  a  southern  disposition,  of  a  chivalrous, 
noble  temperament,  in  the  very  presence  of  our  Saviour,  on 
the  impulse  of  the  moment,  drew  his  sword,  and  smote 
the  servant  of  the  high  priest.  That  a  master,  provoked 
beyond  endurance,  should  do  worse  to  that  which  he  owns 
and  has  bought  with  a  price,  should  be  set  down  to  the 
amiable  and  redeeming  traits  of  humanity,  rather  than  to 
the  indulgence  of  improper  and  brutalizing  passions. 

"  Brethren,  we  are  charged  in  the  South  with  assisting 
in  affrays,  duels,  and  murders.  I  need  not  say  that  these 
slanders  need  no  refutation.  Look  at  the  annals  of  crime 
of  the  immaculate  North, — the  crime  of  every  day, — and 
ours  sink  in  petty  incidents,  compared  with  the  enormity  of 
these  free  people.  "We  are  charged  with  encouraging 
duelling;  but  when  did  a  high  standard  of  honor  injure  the 
imregenerate  heart  ?  As  a  clergyman,  commissioned  to 
preach  peace  and  good  will  to  all  men,  I  condemn  the 
practice ;  but  if  the  grace  of  God  prevails  not,  better  that 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  20^7 

the  passions  should  be  regulated  by  rules  accepted  of  by 
the  educated  and  refined,  than  be  left  to  riot  in  unre- 
strained wickedness  of  the  natural  heart. 

"  We  are  charged  with  not  being  as  good  as  our  neigh- 
bors. Our  brethren  of  the  North  have  gone  into  the 
temple,  and  thanked  God  that  they  are  not  as  other  men ; 
announced  that  they  do  not  oppress, — that  they  are  given 
to  alms.  For  all  they  have  done  in  sincerity.  Heaven  be 
praised ;  but  I  will  simply  say,  in  answer  to  such  hypocrisy, 
that  our  Southern  piety  is  unobtrusive. 

"  If  the  windy  work  of  blowing  trumpets  at  the  corners 
of  the  streets, — if  vociferation,  and  noise,  are  the  evi- 
dences of  religion,  we  are  lost ;  but  Southern  Christians 
'  do  good  in  secret,'  that  they  may  in  abundant  crops, 
and  increasing  wealth,  be  rewarded  openly.  Our  minis- 
ters compare  favorably  for  learning  and  zeal  with  any 
North ;  and  if  we  are  not  given  to  sectarian  controversy, 
— ^if  there  be  a  quiet  calm  in  the  various  churches  in  our 
midst^ — yfQ  have  not  to  blush  at  beholding  the  fanatical 
evidences  of  misguided  and  misdirected  zeal. 

"  But,  brethren,  why  dwell  upon  the  unnecessary  and 
needlessly  imposed  task  of  defending  ourselves  against  the 
folly  of  fanatics  and  envy  of  irreligious  men  ? — let  us  turn 
and  contemplate  our  glorious  destiny,  and  remember,  that 
we  have  been  singled  out  by  Providence,  as  were  the 
children  of  Israel  in  olden  times,  to  be  his  peculiar  people. 
The  Southern  Christians  are  chosen  as  the  instruments 
for  the  greatest  and  sublimest  Christian  revolution  ever 
achieved  by  mortal  being.  When  the  poor  African  was 
landed  on  our  coast,  the  slave-robbers  did  not  know  that 


208  THE  master's  house  ; 

their  apparently  evil  deeds  were  to  be  made  to  praise  Grod ; 
yet  such  was  verily  the  case.  We  have  but  to  stand  still 
and  see  the  salvation  of  the  Lord,  and  the  glory  that  will 
come  up  out  of  Jerusalem. 

"  In  the  glowing  and  eloquent  language  of  a  beloved 
brother,  *  I  feel  satisfied  with  the  tendencies  of  things.'  I 
stand  upon  the  mountain-peak,  above  the  clouds.  I 
see  far  beyond  the  storm,  the  calm  sea,  and  the  blue  sky. 
I  see  the  Canaan  of  the  African.  I  stand  there  on  the 
Nebo  of  his  exodus,  and  look  across  not  the  Jordan,  but 
the  Atlantic. 

"  I  gaze  as  did  Moses  from  Mount  Pisgah  over  into 
the  promised  land ;  I  see  the  ocean  divided  by  a  great 
wind,  and  piled  up  in  walls  of  green  glittering  glass  on 
either  hand  ;  and  through  this  crystal  avenue  the  children 
of  Ham  are  crossing  upon  dry  ground, — the  marching 
host  amid  the  pillar  of  cloud  and  fire,  I  look  over  the 
Niger,  black  with  death,  to  the  white  man — instinct  with 
life  to  the  children  of  Ham.  There  is  the  black  man's 
home ;  there,  is  his  father's  land, — there  will  he  exliibit 
his  own  type  of  Christianity.  Verily,  verily  !  this  eman- 
cipated race  may  rival  the  most  amiable  form  of  spiritual 
life,  and  the  jewel  may  glitter  upon  the  Ethiop's  brow,  in 
meaning  more  sublime  than  all  the  poet's  imagery. 

"  Brethren,  in  the  ordering  of  events,  the  African  will 
go, — the  ocean  will  separate, — the  miracle  will  be  accom- 
plished ;  but  let  us  remember,  that  we  arc  potter's  clay  in 
the  hands  of  an  overruling  power, — the  chosen  instruments 
of  great  good  ;  and  let  us  encourage  in  our  hearts  that  sim- 
ple childlike  faith,  that  makes  us  satisfied  ivitli  things  as 


A    TALE    OF    SOI'THERN    LIFE.  209 

tliey  are,  and  willing  to  leave  the  future  to  the  care  of  au 
all-wise  and  merciful  Providence." 

Never,  probably,  was  there  a  discourse  uttered  by  a 
human  voice,  that  had  a  more  powerful  effect  upon  an 
auditor,  than  did  Goshawk's  upon  Dixon.  He  had  taken 
his  place  in  the  congregation  an  hour  or  two  before  with  a 
wan  face,  sunken,  careworn  eyes,  and  debilitated  frame; 
he  now  walked  forth  absolutely  changed  in  his  physical  as 
well  as  moral  constitution.  A  new  light  had  broken  in 
upon  his  mind  ;  he  was  clay  in  the  hands  of  the  potter, — a 
blind  instrument  for  doing  good.  He  had  gone  to  church, 
feeling  that  he  was  in  the  slough  of  despondency,  but  was 
now  conscious  that,  under  the  enlightened  influences  of 
"  the  sanctuary,"  his  burden  had  rolled  from  off  his  soul; 
and  in  the  exuberance  of  his  new  view  of  things,  he  abso- 
lutely snapped  his  fingers  over  his  head,  and  took  one  or 
two  steps  that  gave  promise,  if  their  style  had  been  con- 
tinued, that  the  spectator  would  have  had  a  very  good 
idea  of  a  country  jig. 

The  "Head-quarters"  on  the  morning  of  Mr.  Gos- 
hawk's sermon  had  been  unusually  dull ;  as  Busteed 
remarked,  "  The  Sunday  races,  down  at  Sawyer's,  always 
tuck  away  some  of  his  customers,  but  the  flare-up  at  the 
church  coming  on  at  the  same  time,  he  was  doing  nothing 
at  all."  Even  Puckett  for  a  while  deserted  the  popular 
resort,  and  walking  over  to  the  church,  thrust  his  head 
in  at  the  door,  and  got,  what  he  said,  was  the  "  milk  in 
the  cocoanut ; "  and  not  waiting  for  the  closing  ceremonies, 
he  rushed  back  to  Busteed's,  and  leaning  over  the  bar, 
commenced  quite  an  animated  description  of  what  he  had 


210  THE  master's  house; 

heard.  As  Puckett  proceeded,  Busteed,  who  was  busy 
wiping  tumblers  with  a  rag,  startled  by  some  assertion 
of  Puckett's,  exclaimed : 

"  Oh,  nonsense,  G-oshawk  didn't  pile  it  on  so  thick  as 
that,  did  he?" 

"  Yes,  he  did,  though,"  returned  Puckett,  emphati- 
cally ;  "  and  the  parson  went  it  even  a  little  stronger, 
for  he  made  out  Dixon  and  sich  like  to  be  rigler  mission- 
aries of  the  gospel." 

At  that  instant  Dixon  stepped  into  the  bar-room.  His 
improved  appearance,  and  genial  manner,  compared  with 
an  hour  or  two  before,  struck  both  the  landlord  and  Puck- 
ett; the  latter,  unable  to  contain  his  gratification,  re- 
marked : 

"  Major,  you  look  better  than  you  did  this  morning — 
you  must  be  getting  well." 

"  I  am  better,"  said  Dixon,  emphatically ;  "  I've  got 
clear  of  them  confounded  pains,  that's  troubled  me  so 
much  :  I  am  now  as  good  as  new,  and  we'll  take  a  drink  to 
celebrate  the  fact." 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  211 


CHAPTER  XVIIL 


DEATH  OF  JACK. 


Near  sunset,  Toadvine  left  the  "  Head-quarters,"  and 
rode  toward  the  jail.  He  was  exceedingly  intoxicated, 
which  always  made  him  savage ;  but,  in  addition  to  this, 
he  had  been  literally  swindled  out  of  a  considerable  sum 
of  money  at  cards, — and  this  fact  goaded  him  to  fury. 

The  jail  was  situated  on  the  suburbs  of  the  town,  and 
was  reached  by  going  over  a  ravine,  or,  as  similar  obstruc- 
tions are  termed,  *'  a  wash."  In  ordinarily  dry  weather, 
there  was  no  difficulty  in  crossing  the  ravine,  but  heavy 
and  continuous  rains  had  made  it  saddle-girth  deep  in 
mud;  and  as  Toadvine  attempted  to  rush  his  horse 
through  the  conglomerated  mass,  the  poor  animal  stuck 
fast, — when,  being  assailed  by  blows  and  oaths,  in  strug- 
gling to  extricate  himself  he  fell  upon  his  side,  and  tum- 
bled his  rider  "heels-over-head"  in  the  slough.  Toad- 
vine was  now  fm-ious,  and  as  he  pulled  away  at  his  horse's 
bridle,  he  loaded  the  very  air  with  his  fearful  impreca- 
tions. The  animal,  released  of  his  rider's  weight,  recov- 
ered his  feet,  and,  by  repeated  plunges,  reached  the  solid 
earth. 


212  THE  master's  house; 

The  negroes  confined  in  the  jail,  hearing  the  noise, 
huddled  about  the  heavy  iron-grated  window,  and  were 
highly  amused  at  what  they  saw.  They  made  many 
rough  jokes  at  Toadvine's  expense,  any  one  of  which  if  it 
had  reached  his  ears,  in  his  then  humor,  would  have  made 
him  stark,  staring  mad.  Meanwhile,  the  dogs  within  the 
picketed  inclosure  of  the  jail  commenced  furiously  bark- 
ing, and  gnashing  their  teeth  through  the  openings  of  the 
fence, — ^thereby  giving  additional  spirit  to  the  scene, 

Toadvine  hitched  his  horse  to  an  old  whipping-post 
near  by ;  and  as  soon  as  he  could  reach  the  entrance  of  the 
jail,  the  keeper  anticipated  his  coming  by  opening  the 
door.  Toadvine  and  the  jailer  saluted  after  the  manner 
of  old  friends,  and  then  disappeared  within  the  precincts 
of  the  old  building. 

It  was  with  a  great  deal  of  difiiculty  that  Toadvine 
could  be  reconciled  to  his  disagreeable  accident ;  while 
scolding  about  it  to  the  jailer,  he  picked  up  a  piece  of 
cypress  shingle  from  the  floor,  and  pettishly  scraped  the 
mud  from  his  clothes, — every  moment  becoming  more  ex- 
cited in  his  indignation.  He  abused  the  road  inspectors, 
— abused  the  jail, — and  the  world  generally,  and  Jack  in 
particular  and  especially. 

The  jailer  finally,  however,  reduced  him  to  quiet,  by 
producing  an  old  stone  jug  from  a  cleft  in  the  heavy  tim- 
ber walls;  and  giving  Toadvine  a  broken  tumbler,  and 
taking  a  gourd  himself,  he  poured  out  a  liberal  allowance 
of  whiskey,  and  giving  the  highly  original  toast,  "  Better 
luck  next  time,"  the  twain  touched  "glasses"  with  due 
solemnity,  and  drank  off  the  contents. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  213 

The  jailer,  still  bent  on  mollifying  his  guest,  now  pro- 
duced an  immense  plug  of  tobacco,  and  handing  it  to 
Toadvine,  told  him  to  take  a  piece,  remarking,  in  a  half 
playful  way,  that  "  that  tobacker  was  sent  him  'way  from 
Old  Virginny,  by  a  gentleman  that  had  two  runaways  in  jail 
with  him  for  near  about  a  year." 

"  And  what  the  hell  did  he  send  that  to  you  for,  after 
keeping  his  niggers  so  long?"  growled  Toadvine,  twisting 
off  a  large  piece  of  the  weed. 

"  Because,"  said  the  jailer,  with  a  professional  smile, 
"  I  sent  him  a  paper  marked  around  with  ink,  so  he  could 
tell  whar  was  his  property." 

"  And  he  was  from  Virginny,  was  he  ? "  inquired 
Toadvine,  giving  his  clothes  a  rub  down  with  the  shingle. 

"  He  was,"  said  the  jailer,  emphatically. 

"  And  a  F.  F.  V.,"  snarled  Toadvine,  as  he  discovered 
a  large  "  splotch"  of  mud,  heretofore  unperceived,  over  the 
calf  of  his  leg. 

"  I  don't  know  whether  he  was  or  not,"  said  the  jailer, 
producing  an  old  greasy  playing-card.  "  Here,"  he  con- 
tinued, without  paying  further  attention  to  Toadvine,  '*  is 
the  charges  agin  Mr.  Mildmay,  for  'resting  Jack ;  "  and  he 
read  off  the  back  of  a  playing-card  as  follows  : 

"  To  Mr.  Stubbs,  who  tuck  him  up, — two  forty-five. 

"  Jutasses  feez,  for  committin, — a  '  V.' 

"  Bored  fore  daze, — wun  twenty ;  makin  a  sum  total 
of  ait  dollars  and  seventy  sents  :  and  not  much  neither  as 
the  times  goze." 

"  Not  much,"  said  Toadvine,  taking  out  his  clasp- 
knitb,  and  picking  a  bit  of  tobacco  leaf  from  between  his 


214  THE  master's  house  ; 

front  teeth  with  the  blade;  "not  much,"  he  repeated,  as 
if  in  deep  reflection,  and  then  went  on  :  "  Well,  maybe  it 
an't ;  but  if  I  had  a  nigger  as  run  away,  and  cost  me  eight 
dollars  and  seventy  cents,  if  I  didn't  work  it  out  of  his 
hide,  with  interest  to  boot,  I  hope  I  may  turn  nigger  my- 
self." 

And  the  sincerity  with  which  he  made  this  protestation 
can  be  appreciated,  when  it  is  known  that  it  closed  with 
Toadvine's  climacteric  figure  of  speech,  if  he  wished  to 
be  considered  particularly  in  earnest. 

Toadvine  now  pulled  out  a  ten  dollar  gold-piece,  and 
giving  it  to  the  jailer,  told  the  functionary  to  take  his 
change. 

The  jailer  found  some  difficulty  in  accomplishing  his 
object,  as  he  had  nothing  but  three  half  dollar  pieces  in  his 
pocket.  After  considerable  discussion,  and  another  drink 
of  whiskey,  it  was  decided  that  Toadvine  should  throw 
"heads  and  tails"  for  the  piece  of  money  in  dispute — 
whereupon  that  gentleman  took  the  coin,  and  resting  it  on 
the  side  of  the  fore  finger  of  the  right  hand,  and  placing  his 
thumb  underneath  it,  he  emphatically  observed  : 

"  Now  mark — ^heads  I  win,  tails  you  lose,"  and  then  he 
sent  the  silver  whirling  in  the  air. 

The  coin  struck  the  floor  with  a  ringing  noise,  and 
Toadvine  bent  over  to  see  the  result,  for  it  was  now  get- 
ting dark  in  the  jail;  rising  up  suddenly  from  his  stoop- 
ing attitude,  he  gave  the  innocent  cause  of  offence  a  kick 
with  his  foot  that  sent  it  spinning  across  the  floor,  and  then 
with  a  great  oath  he  swore  that  he  had  "  lost  all  day,"  and 
pulling   a  revolver    out    of    his    pocket    and    examining 


A   TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  215 

the  caps,  he  moodily  told  the  jailer  to  "  bring  down  that 
infernal  nigger,  for  he  was  going  home." 

Now  Jack,  who  had  been,  with  his  fellow-prisoners, 
very  much  amused,  as  we  have  already  stated,  at  the  floun- 
dering of  Toadvine  in  the  mire,  was  perfectly  unconscious 
that  it  was  the  overseer,  and  it  was  not  until  some  time 
after,  when  he  recognized  the  horse  hitched  in  front  of  the 
jail,  that  the  whole  truth  flashed  upon  him. 

In  an  instant  he  seemed  to  comprehend  his  situation, 
and  uttering  the  exclamation,  "  Oh  Master  !  what  will  be- 
come of  poor  Jack  now  ?  "  he  sunk  down  upon  the  floor 
the  very  picture  of  despair, 

"  And  what's  de  matter  wid  you.  Jack  ?  "  inquired  his 
humble  friends  in  bondage. 

"  Oh  Lord  !  oh  Lord !  "  said  the  poor  fellow,  wringing 
his  hands,  "  it's  Mr.  Toadvine  dats  come  for  me.  He's  de 
man  as  druv  me  from  home, — ^he's  de  man  dat  got  my  wife 
away, — ^he's  de  man  as  will  kill  me  yet ; "  and  again  Jack 
buried  his  head  'between  his  knees,  and  the  tears  rained 
upon  the  floor. 

The  sympathy  for  Jack,  expressed  by  his  fellow-prison- 
ers, was  deeply  touching.  Helpless  themselves,  yet  feeling 
the  full  force  of  their  companion's  situation,  and  too  igno- 
rant to  express  the  emotions  of  their  hearts,  they  stood 
around  him  in  silent  agony,  in  which  position  they  remain- 
ed until  they  heard  the  huge  key  rattling  in  the  lock,  and 
the  chain  unfastened  from  the  door. 

"Here  Jack,"  said  the  jailer,  without  noticing  the  boy's 
expression  of  face,  "  gather  up  your  duds,  and  get  down 
stairs,  you  scoundrel."     The  boy  silently  obeyed  and  left 


216  THE  master's  house; 

tlie  cell ;  "  and  now,"  said  he,  turning  around  to  his  remain- 
ing prisoners,  as  he  was  about  closing  the  door  after  him, 
"  don't  let  me  hear  any  more  of  that  pslam  singing  to-night 
about  "  Jesus  ready  stands  to  save  you,"  and  all  that  sort 
o'  thing,  because  it's  damn  nonsense,  and  I'll  have  no  noise 
anyhow  after  the  nine  o'clock  bell  rings,  and  if  I  hear  any, 
I'll  come  up  and  make  you  shout  hallelujah  to  a  tune 
you  never  larnt  at  camp  meetin' ; "  and  with  this  ad- 
vice he  locked  the  door  and  secured  the  chain,  then  put- 
ting the  gold  eagle  received  from  Toadvine  into  the  bottom 
of  a  long  leather  purse,  he  drummed  accompaniment  with 
his  huge  key  on  the  wall,  to  Hail  Columbia,  happy  land, 
which  he  whistled  with  great  effect  as  he  went  down  stairs. 

Jack,  meantime,  stood  in  the  presence  of  his  worst  ene- 
my. Toadvine  glared  upon  him  with  his  bloodshot  eyes, 
imtil  the  knees  of  the  boy  gave  way  from  fear,  and  he  sank 
upon  the  flooi\ 

"  None  of  your  skulking,"  fairly  roared  Toadvine ;  "none 
of  your  gammoning  me,  you  infernal  black  sop.  So  you 
run  away,  did  you,  'cause  you  couldn't  bear  to  have  me 
whip  you?  That's  for  treating  you  like  a  lamb.  "But," 
he  continued,  growing  white  with  anger,  "  111  cure  you  of 
your  tricks  to-night  'fore  I  get  you  home,  and  if  your  whin- 
ing, half  Yankee  master  don't  like  it,  he  can  settle  next 
day,  and  get  somebody  else  to  whip  his  niggers  for  him ;  " 
and  Toadvine  fairly  spun  about  like  a  top,  with  the  violence 
of  his  passion. 

The  jailer,  as  if  it  were  a  customary  thing,  now  opened 
a  box,  sitting  in  one  corner  of  the  room,  on  which  was 
marked  in  great  plainness  the  magical  letters  "  U.  S."    It 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERX    LIFE.  217 

had  evidently  beeu  originally  used  for  packing  Springfield 
Armory  muskets  in,  and  taking  therefrom  a  coil  of  rope, 
he  handed  it  to  Toadvinc,  who,  without  any  apparent  con- 
sideration as  to  the  length  he  wanted,  cut  off  a  piece  and 
gave  the  remainder  back  to  the  jailer  ;  then  stepping  up 
to  Jack,  he  struck  him  a  severe  blow  with  the  cord  across 
his  shoulders,  and  ordering  him  to  hold  up  his  head,  com- 
menced tying  the  boy  around  the  neck. 

"What  are  you  going  to  do?"  inquired  the  jailer, 
with  some  little  surprise. 

"  Take  this  feller  home ;  any  thing  to  say  agin  it  ?  "  said 
Toadvine,  the  very  act  of  touching  Jack's  neck  inflaming 
still  more  his  tiger  passions. 

"  Nothing  more,"  said  the  jailer,  placing  his  hand  on 
the  large  bowie-knife  he  carried  in  his  breast,  and  eyemg 
Toadvine  with  hostile  meaning ;  "  Nothing  more — only 
'  civil  tongues  is  best  for  health,'  and  I  think  you'd  better  tie 
that  boy  with  his  elbers  behind  him,  instead  of  'round  the 
neck." 

Toadvine  was  cowed,  but  again  feeling  disposed  to  give 
way  to  his  passion,  which,  suppressed  against  the  jailer, 
burst  with  increased  fury  upon  the  head  of  the  victim  now 
so  completely  in  his  power. 

''  I  think,"  said  Toadvine,  leading  the  boy  away  and 
measuring  the  effect  of  his  words,  "  I  think  I  understand 
my  business  with  niggers." 

"  Well,  I  'spect  you  do,"  replied  the  jailer,  closing  the 
door  on  Toadvine  and  Jack,  and  then  locking  it  on  the  in- 
side, he  proceeded  with  due  deliberation  to  shut  up  his  es- 
tablishment for  the  night. 
10 


218  THE  master's  house; 

Toadvine  once  out  of  doors,  drove  Jack  ahead  of  him 
while  still  holding  him  fast  by  the  rope,  and  thus  the  two 
proceeded  until  the  boy  reached  the  overseer's  horse,  which 
he  respectfully  held  until  the  man  mounted.  Toadvine 
then  fastened  the  end  of  the  rope  in  his  hand  to  the  pom- 
mel of  the  Spanish  saddle,  and  with  the  quickness  of 
thought  gave  his  horse  the  spurs. 

The  animal  jumped,  and  had  it  not  been  that  Jack  was 
still  at  his  head,  would  in  that  spring  probably  have  broken 
the  boy's  neck ;  as  it  was  it  nearly  threw  him  to  the  ground, 
but  he  recovered  himself,  and  leaping  forward  kept  by  the 
side  of  the  rider.  In  another  moment,  Toadvine  was  again 
floundering  in  the  '  wash.'  Jack  instantly  seized  the  horse's 
head,  and  by  main  strength  pulled  him  through.  The  mo- 
ment that  Toadvine  felt  the  solid  earth,  he  again  spurred 
on  the  animal,  and  in  the  haze  of  the  evening  he  was  re- 
cognized as  he  passed  through  the  streets  of  Beechland, 
going  at  a  killing  pace,  with  a  negro  boy  almost  undistin- 
guishable  in  the  gloom,  following  close  in  his  rear. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIKE.  219 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE    EXCITEMENT    OF    THE    HOUR. 

On  tlie  morning  following  Toadvine's  visit  to  the  jail,  the 
citizens  living  in  the  neighborhood  of  Beechland,  were 
shocked  by  discovering  on  the  very  edge  of  the  town,  the 
mutilated  body  of  a  dead  negro,  and  it  seemed  more  than 
probable  that  a  murder  had  been  committed.  The  neck 
of  the  deceased  was  not  only  broken,  but  the  bones  thereof 
had  evidently  been  torn  asunder ;  and  with  such  force,  as 
to  elongate  the  persistent  muscles.  A  piece  of  rope  that 
had  evidently  been  rudely  severed  with  a  sharp  knife,  was 
still  around  his  neck,  and  upon  farther  examination,  a  deep 
indentation  could  be  traced  for  a  considerable  distance, 
along  the  road,  showing  how  far  the  body  had  been  dragged 
upon  the  ground. 

It  happened  to  be  that  day  of  the  week,  when  the 
planters  of  the  vicinity,  by  general  consent,  meet  in  town, 
not  only  to  transact  business,  but  also  for  social  inter- 
course, and  very  soon  a  large  number  of  the  most  substan- 
tial citizens  of  the  surrounding  country,  were  standing  in 


220  THE  master's  housk  ; 

excited  groups  in  proximity  to  the  body,  and  all  engaged 
in  deep  and  earnest  conversation  about  the  mystery. 

The  "  coroner"  had  been  summoned ;  a  jury  was  quickly 
obtained — an  inquest  held — and  the  prompt  verdict  was, 
that  the  deceased  negro  came  to  his  death  by  violence 
at  the  hands  of  some  person  or  persons  unknown. 

This  done,  the  body  was  taken  to  the  court-house,  and 
laid  out  upon  the  porch,  in  hopes  that  some  one  would 
identify  it. 

About  ten  o'clock,  the  jailer  had  finished  his  morning 
work,  of  letting  the  negroes  get  their  own  breakfast,  while 
he  fed  his  dogs,  with  such  other  duties  as  occurred,  when 
he  thrust  a  cigar  in  his  mouth,  and  his  hands  in  his 
pockets,  and  leaving  his  charge  in  ih»  care  of  a  deputy, 
he  started  out  to  learn  the  news  of  the  day,  and  prepared 
to  take  an  active  part  in  a  political  discussion,  or  a  game 
of  cards,  the  only  two  excitements  he  allowed  himself 
openly  to  indulge  in. 

And  it  so  happened  as  he  passed  along,  that  he  came 
across  a  group  of  citizens  in  deep  and  earnest  conversation 
and  he  knew  at  once  that  something  more  than  usual  "was 
in  the  v/iud." 

"  There  goes  Orcutt  the  jailer,"  said  Gen.  Bledsoe,  the 
most  popular  and  influential  man  in  the  community;  and 
continued  he,  "  Orcutt  is  well  acquainted  in  town,  and  per- 
haps he  might  give  us  some  clew  to  this  strange  matter," 
and  with  the  universal  approval  of  all  present,  Orcutt  was 
called  into  the  conference. 

This  notice  pleased  the  jailer,  and  as  he  came  toward 
the  group,  he  decided  in  his  own  mind  that  they  were 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  221 

going  to  ask  liim,  eitlicr  if  he  hadn't  a  pleasant  room  in 
the  jail  where  a  game  of  '  brag '  could  be  played,  or  else, 
that  he  would  go  over  to  the  Head-quarters  and  take  a 
drink,  and  he  couldn't  tell  which — but  he  determined  to  be 
aflfable,  in  either  case. 

*  Orcutt,"  said  Gen.  Bledsoe,  after  the  salutations  of 
meeting  were  over,  "we  called  you  over  here,  to  ask  what 
you  think  of  this  murder  that  was  committed  last  night  ?  " 

"  Haven't  heard  a  word  of  it,"  said  Orcutt,  his  suspi- 
cions however  prompting  him  to  believe  that  he  knew  all 
the  history. 

"  You  haven't  heard  of  it ! "  exclaimed  two  or  three 
voices  at  once;  "why,  what  have  you  been  doing  this  moi'n- 
ing?" 

"Nothing  but  looking  after  the  '  stone  jug,' "  said  Orcutt, 
with  a  sort  of  injm-ed  look,  "  nothing  else." 

"  The  fact  is,"  continued  Gen.  Bledsoe,  "  a  negro  boy  was 
killed  last  nigbt  just  a  few  hundred  yards  from  the  jail " — 

"  Up  the  old  bayou  road " — involuntarily  suggested 
Orcutt. 

"  The  same,"  said  the  general,  exchanging  glances 
of  intelligence  witk  the  gentlemen  in  the  crowd. 

"  Well,  let  me  »«e  the  body,"  said  the  jailer,  who  in- 
stantly became  an  object  of  suspicious  interest,  and  the 
party  walked  towards  the  court-house. 

"  The  body  of  Jack,  as  we  have  stated,  had  been  laid 
upon  the  court-house  steps.  An  infirm  old  negro,  who  had, 
years  agone,  become  useless  as  a  servant,  and  earned  a  pre- 
carious living  in  the  town,  had,  in  the  natural  goodness  of 
her  heart,  washed  off  the  mud  from  the  body,  and  disposing 


222  THE  master's  house  ; 

of  it  in  a  decent  manner,  had  covered  it  witli  a  sheet,  and 
sat  by,  a  sincere  mourner  for  the  memory  and  misfortunes 
of  one  of  her  race. 

"  And  who  is  it,  aunty?"  said  Gen.  Bledsoe,  addressing 
the  old  negress  kindly,  "  do  you  know  the  face?" 

"  Bress  you,  no,  master;"  and  turning  to  the  corpse,  she 
muttered,  "  he's  done  gone  to  heav'n  now,  dat's  one  com- 
fort," and  then  instinctively  moved  away  from  the  imme- 
diate presence  of'the  white  people. 

Orcutt  was  exceedingly  annoyed  that,  by  an  unguarded 
expression,  he  had  made  his  suspicions  a  matter  of  inter- 
est, for  he  did  not  wish  to  have  the  responsibility  of  recog- 
nizing the  body,  and  probable  arrest  of  the  murderer, 
thrown  upon  his  shoulders.  Holding  his  office  at  the 
mercy  of  political  partisans,  it  instantly  occurred  to  him, 
that  the  enmity  of  Toadvine  and  his  friends,  if  united  at 
any  future  time  against  him  at  the  polls,  could  secure  his 
removal,  and  he  was  exceedingly  embarrassed  at  the  posi- 
tion in  Avhich  he  found  himself 

Now  the  usually  most  talkative  man  in  the  community 
was  in  the  crowd,  but  from  the  time  he  heard  of  the  mur- 
der, he  had  been  as  dumb  as  a  mouse.  This  gentleman 
was  Maj.  Trimmer,  "  the  great  criminal  lawyer  and  active 
politician"  of  the  sun-ounding  country ;  he  knew  that  he 
had  a  client  somewhere  in  the  parish,  as  soon  as  he  saw 
Jack's  body,  and  was  then  actually  looking  out  for  his 
"  retaining  fee." 

He  discovered  Orcutt's  embarrassment,  and  tucking 
that  worthy  under  the  arm,  he  led  him  a  step  aside,  and 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN'    LIFE.  223 

remarked,  "  You  needn't  say  any  thing  to  criminate  your- 
self, even  if  such  a  thing  were  possible." 

"  I'd  nothing  to  do  with  it,"  saidOrcutt  doggedly,  "but 
you'll  give  me  a  letter  major,  in  case  it  is  ever  necessary, 
that  what  I  do  say  is  under  compulsion." 

"  Certainly  I  will,"  said  the  major,  shaking  Orcutt 
by  the  hand. 

Orcutt  returned  to  the  group  of  inquirers,  and  care- 
lessly throwing  back  the  old  sheet  from  the  face  of  the 
corpse,  examined  the  swollen  and  ghastly  lineaments  for  a 
moment,  and  said  : — 

"  As  I  expected,  its "  but  before  he  could  say 

more,  Gen.  Bledsoe  suddenly  seized  him  by  the  shoulder, 
and  with  great  emphasis  exclaimed : 

"  You  know  the  negro,  and  you  believe  he  was  mur- 
dered ?  "  Orcutt  was  about  to  resist  such  rude  treatment, 
but  the  eyes  of  too  many  resolute  men  were  upon  him,  who 
evidently  sympathized  with  the  general's  conduct. 

"  I  think  I  know  the  negro,  and  I  believe  that  he  was 
killed,"  said  Orcutt,  looking  confused. 

"  And  why  did  you  ask  if  the  murder  was  committed 
in  the  bayou  road,  when  you  claimed  to  have  heard  nothing 
about  it,"  asked  a  very  matter  of  fact  planter,  thrusting 
his  nose  into  Oreutt's  face. 

"  Don't  speak  as  you  value  life,"  whispered  Bledsoe, 
becoming  every  moment  more  excited,  "  don't  speak  until 
I  tell  you." 

Orcutt  was  then  pushed  aside,  as  it  were,  and  he  was 
instantly  surrounded  by  the  most  influential  persons  pre- 
sent, among  whom  there  was  an   astonishing  display  of 


224  THE  master's  house  ; 

bowie-knives  and  pistols ;  and  tliis  significant  group,  by  a 
kind  of  tacit  consent,  no  one  but  the  initiated  approached. 

The  news  spread  that  a  clew  to  the  murder  had  been 
obtained,  and  crowds  began  to  collect  about  the  court- 
house ;  men,  and  boys,  and  negroes,  could  be  seen  coming 
from  every  direction  to  the  common  focus,  all  excited  and 
all  curious.  The  keeper  of  the  "  Head-quarters  "  adjoining 
the  seat  of  justice,  was  in  ecstasies,  and  this  was  displayed 
in  a  professional  way,  for,  rushing  behind  his  bar,  he  com- 
menced cleaning  his  glasses,  feeling  assured  that  very  soon 
his  "  groceries  "  would  be  in  even  unusual  demand. 

"  And  now,  Mr.  Orcutt,"  said  Gen.  Bledsoe,  looking  at 
his  compeers,  and  letting  go  his  hold  on  the  jailer,  "now, 
sir,  we  will  hear  your  story." 

Without  ceremony,  Orcutt  gave  a  very  truthful  account 
of  things  connected  with  Jack's  leaving  the  jail ;  as  he 
progressed  with  his  story,  many  of  his  listeners  became 
livid  with  rage,  and  deep  and  bitter  were  the  subdued  exe- 
crations that  fell  upon  Toadvine's  head. 

Orcutt  soon  discovered  how  popular  feeling  was  going, 
and  he  began  to  artfully  exaggerate  things  already  dreadful ; 
he  felt  that  Toadvine's  power  had  gone,  and  therefore,  to 
conciliate  the  influence  of  the  overseer  was  no  longer  a 
matter  of  importance. 

As  soon  as  the  full  force  of  Toadvine's  conduct  was  un- 
derstood, there  was  a  universal  clamor  for  his  arrest  and 
prompt  punishment.  The  feeling  was  more  than  usually 
strong,  from  the  fact,  that  recently  two  or  three  slave  murders 
had  been  committed,  only  a  little  less  atrocious  than  the  case 
under  consideration;  and  in  truth,  so  great  was  the  excite- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  225 

ment,  that  tlicrc  was  evidently  a  strong  under-current,  de- 
manding more  summary  proceedings  than  could  be  had  by 
due  course  of  law.  Many  persons  whispered  apart — Gen. 
Bledsoe  was  constantly  consulted ;  individuals  would  leave 
the  select  throng,  and  go  over  to  the  court-house  group, 
and  whispering  to  different  men,  of  repulsive  and  hang-dog 
appearance,  lead  them  within  the  centre  of  the  delibera- 
tive body ;  men,  whose  long  beards  and  dissipated  faces 
marked  them  as  "  the  desperadoes  of  the  community." 

Ever}'^  now  and  then  some  one  would,  after  being  whis- 
pered to  by  Gen.  Bledsoe,  leave,  and  presently  return 
with  a  double-barrelled  fowling-piece  or  musket.  The 
sheriff  also  made  his  appearance,  and  was  uncommonly  ac- 
tive to  find  some  justice  of  the  peace,  to  get  out  a  warrant, 
for  he  regretted  that  he  could  do  nothing,  "  unless  espe- 
cially instructed  by  a  proper  officer." 

It  was  soon  evident  that  one  universal  feeling  had  set- 
tled down  upon  the  crowd.  Some  three  or  four  who  had 
been  active  in  the  deliberations,  were  already  mounted,  as 
if  bent  on  a  hasty  journey,  when  one  of  the  younger  men 
of  the  party  rose  in  his  saddle,  and  speaking  in  a  loud 
voice,  said : 

"  Gentlemen,  we  have  had  to-day  the  painful  evidence 
of  the  reckless  destruction  of  our  property.  If  irrespon- 
sible men  are  permitted  to  thus  injure  our  interests,  what 
will  be  the  result?  utter  ruin.  It  is  proposed  that  the 
violator  of  our  rights,  in  consideration  of  his  seeming  de- 
fiance of  the  laws,  be  not  left  to  the  mercy  of  its  delays, 
but  have  justice  dealt  out  to  him  with  our  own  indignant 
hands." 

10* 


226  THE  master's  house  ; 

A  loud  and  enthusiastic  sliout  was  given,  and  twenty 
men  in  an  instant  were  in  their  saddles.  Away  these 
horsemen  scattered  through  the  streets,  many  riding  hither 
and  thither,  and  almost  all  indulging  in  the  free  use  of 
liquor,  either  fi'om  canteens  carried  in  their  pockets,  or 
such  as  could  be  purchased  at  the  "  groceries."  In  the 
course  of  a  half  hour  more,  the  town  had  assumed  its 
usually  dull  appearance,  for  that  particular  time  of  day. 

On  that  eventful  morning,  Toadvine  had  risen  at  his 
accustomed  hour,  and  externally,  as  if  nothing  in  his  his- 
tory of  an  extraordinary  character  had  occurred,  he  went 
into  the  field  with  the  negroes.  After  he  returned  to  his 
house  for  his  breakfast,  he  quietly  walked  over  to  the 
"residence,"  and  asked  Mr.  Mildmay  for  a  prospective 
order  for  the  amount  of  money  due  him  up  to  date,  re- 
marking, "  that  he  had  created  some  debts,  which  he 
wished  to  settle;"  he  then  strolled  out  upon  the  gallery, 
and  taking  up  an  old  newspaper,  seemed  to  be  absorbed  in 
its  contents. 

Mildmay,  after  looking  over  his  memorandum  book, 
wrote  a  draft  on  his  merchant  for  the  amount  due  Toad- 
vine,  and  stepping  out  on  the  gallery,  handed  it  to  the 
overseer,  with  the  question,  "  Did  you  bring  home  Jack, 
last  night,  as  you  intended  ?  " 

"  Why,  the  fact  is,"  said  Toadvine,  folding  up  the  pa- 
per and  putting  it  in  his  pocket — "  the  fact  is,  that  I  spent 
too  much  time,  yesterday  evening,  at  the  '  Head-quarters,' 
and  besides  losing  some  money,  I  drank  too  much — "  and 
Toadvine  apparently  hesitated  to  finish  his  remark. 

"  I  am  sorry,  for  your  sake,  that  such  is  the  fact ! " 


A    TALR    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  227 

observed  Mildmay,  with  perceptible  emotion  in  bis  voice ; 
"  but  no  matter,"  he  continued,  evidently  not  desirous  to 
seem  to  assume  any  superiority  in  habits  or  position;  "no 
matter,  I  am  going  to  Beechland  this  evening,  myself,  and 
I  will  call  at  the  jail,  and  send  Jack  home,  and  thus  have 
no  further  trouble  about  it." 

Toadvine  moved  away,  crossed  the  yard,  and  entered 
his  own  house,  and  sitting  down  at  his  deal  table,  and 
taking  a  deep  potation  of  his  ever  favorite  whiskey,  and 
thrusting  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  he  commenced  solilo- 
quizing, thus  : 

"  I  wonder  what  did  become  of  Jack?  I  must  have 
been  pretty  tight  last  night.  I  was  so  infarnally  mad 
about  that  mud-hole,  that  I  'most  forget  every  thing  else. 
How  lie  did  pull,  when  he  tried  to  get  away ;  if  it  hadn't 
been  for  breaking  off  the  pommel  of  my  saddle,  to  say 
nothing  of  that  rope  across  my  thigh,  I'd  a'  pulled  him 
home,  or  killed  my  horse." 

And  giving  utterance  to  these  expressions,  Toadvine, 
for  some  ten  minutes,  seemed  lost  in  a  deep  reverie,  then 
rousing  himself,  he  put  away  his  decanter,  and  looked 
over  the  "  promise  to  pay,"  so  recently  received  from  his 
employer,  and  after  cyphering  some  time  on  the  floor  with 
a  piece  of  charcoal,  he  observed  : 

"  "Well,  if  Mr.  Mildmay  does  send  me  off  for  this  lit- 
tle frolic,  he  don't  owe  me  any  thing,  thank  fortune  ! "  and 
with  this  consoling  reflection,  and  entirely  unconscious  of 
the  real  extent  of  his  offending,  he  mounted  his  horse,  and 
again  rode  into  the  field. 

To  avoid  the  appearance  of  any  thing  extraordinary  in 


228  THE  master's  house; 

contemplation,  by  Gen.  Bledsoe's  party,  its  several  mem- 
bers seemed  to  be  straggling  off  in  different  directions,  but, 
by  a  preconcerted  plan,  they  met  a  mile  or  two  from  Beech- 
land,  in  the  thickly  growing  brush  of  an  old  abandoned 
plantation,  which  was  all  that  remained  of  the  evidences 
of  a  once  "  splendid  home." 

Here  in  conclave  it  was  agreed,  that  it  was  useless  to 
trust  to  the  laws  for  the  punishment  of  Toadvine;  that  the 
law  was  a  mere  farce,  gotten  up  for  no  other  purpose  than 
to  enable  lawyers  to  rob  the  community,  and  escape  the 
consequences.  It  was  further  decided,  that  it  would  save 
the  parish  expense,  and  a  great  deal  of  feeling  besides,  in 
the  minds  of  those  interested,  by  seeing  him  summarily 
hunor  to  a  limb  of  the  nearest  tree ;  and  also  teach  him, 
and  others  similarly  disposed  to  tamper  with  the  rights  of 
the  planters,  that  it  could  not  be  done  with  impunity. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  229 


CHAPTER  XX. 


THE    RESCUE, 


Ak  hour's  riding  brought  the  party  near  the  "  Heritage 
Place ; "  the  young  men  rode  ahead  to  reconnoitre,  and 
one  soon  returned  and  reported,  to  the  astonishment  of 
every  one,  that  Toadvine  was  actually  in  the  field ;  and 
that  by  leaving  the  main  road,  threading  a  deep,  but  not 
impassable  sluiceway,  he  could  be  easily  cut  off  from  all 
connection  with  the  house,  and  if  he  attempted  escape  af- 
ter he  discovered  that  he  was  to  be  arrested,  he  would 
have  to  take  to  the  woods,  when  "  he  could  be  run  down 
at  leisure." 

Gen.  Bledsoe  at  once  decided  upon  taking  advantage 
of  the  opportunity  thus  unexpectedly  offered,  to  make  au 
easy  capture,  and  in  another  instant  the  horsemen  were 
galloping  to  their  several  assigned  jjlaces,  distributing 
themselves  so  that  Toadvine  had  no  other  way  of  escape 
than  by  striking  into  the  fastnesses  of  the  swamp. 

The  doomed  man  soon  discovered  that  there  were  per- 
sons in  his  vicinity,  but  still  remained  unconscious  of  his 
danger,  and  also  of  the  extent  of  his  crime.     Two  or  three 


230  THE    MASTER  S    HOUSE  ; 

horsemen,  carrying  guns,  could  be  easily  accounted  for, 
"  the  chase,"  and  the  habits  of  the  country  making  fire- 
arms familiar ;  their  appearance  created  no  alarm ;  but 
when  further  attracted  by  moving  forms  through  the  dis- 
tant trees,  it  flashed  upon  him  like  lightning,  that  a  band 
of  armed  men  were  in  pursuit  of  him. 

Bushing  to  his  horse,  that  was  cropping  grass  by  the 
edges  of  one  of  the  field  roads,  he  leaped  upon  his  back, 
and,  as  if  Mildmay  was  most  likely  to  now  befriend  him,  he 
turned  the  animal's  head  towards  Heritage  Place;  but 
before  he  had  rode  many  yards  he  was  hailed  to  stop — 
turning  suddenly,  he  went  headlong  down  the  field,  when 
again  he  discovered  that  the  fowling-pieces  bore  directly 
upon  him;  desperate,  and  alarmed  for  his  life,  he  now 
turned  his  horse's  head,  as  Bledsoe  had  anticipated,  to- 
ward the  swamp,  and  fairly  flew,  with  speed ;  accelerated 
no  doubt,  by  a  number  of  curs  belonging  to  the  negroes, 
barking  and  howling  at  his  rear ;  with  a  bound  he  cleared 
the  fence,  and  knowing  the  country  well,  it  seemed  as  if 
he  would  escape,  so  rapidly  did  he  disappear  amid  the  rich 
mellow  gloom. 

But  Toadvine  had  those  upon  his  track,  who  knew  the 
swamp  even  better  than  himself, — ^persons  who  had,  for 
years,  pursued  the  deer  and  wild  cat  through  the  very 
labyrinth  he  was  then  threading ;  and  those  persons,  con- 
scious of  their  power,  rode  even  leisurely  along,  knowing 
that  he  must,  almost  without  an  effort,  soon  fall  into  their 
hands. 

Mildmay,  from  the  time  that  Toadvine  left  him,  had 
been  engaged  in  looking  over  papers,  brought  to  his  recol- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTUERN    LIFF,.  231 

lection  by  opening  his  memorandum  book,  and  lie  was, 
wliile  listening  to  the  unusual  noise  of  the  dogs  barking  in 
the  field,  startled  by  the  appearance  of  Wash,  who,  with 
distended  eyes,  announced  to  his  master  "  dat  a  big  party 
of  gentlem  was  hunting  down  in  de  new  ground." 

Mildmay,  from  an  upper  gallery,  glanced  over  the 
field,  just  in  time  to  see  Toadvine's  fearful  leap,  and  as  he 
discovered  the  armed  men  follow  in  pursuit,  he  was  in- 
stantly impressed  with  the  belief  that  something  serious 
had  happened. 

"Without  betraying  his  excitement,  he  ordered  Wash  to 
saddle  his  horse,  that  he  might  ride  down  and  see  what 
was  going  on.  It  was  with  difficulty  that  he  could  repress 
his  impatience  imtil  the  boy  arrived  with  his  steed,  and 
still  more  was  it  painful  to  retain  an  ambling  pace,  when 
he  descried  that  Annie's  afiectionate  eyes  were  bent  upon 
him.  But  once  relieved  of  all  necessity  for  restraint,  he 
put  spurs  to  his  horse,  and  followed  swiftly  on  the  new- 
made  trail. 

In  the  meanwhile,  it  would  seem  that  Gen.  Bledsoe's 
party  crossed  the  diameter  of  the  circle  made  by  Toadvine, 
in  his  ignorance  of  the  ground  he  was  going  over,  and  ere 
the  pursued  was  aware  of  it,  he  was  surrounded.  A  dozen 
**  shots  "  had  sight  upon  him  at  once,  and  he  was  command- 
ed to  stop,  and  reining  up  his  horse,  he  sat  in  his  saddle  a 
perfect  picture  of  blank  despair. 

The  pursuers  rushed  upon  him,  and  checked  their  ex- 
cited horses  so  close  to  his  person,  that  his  hair  was  fanned 
by  the  distended  nostrils  of  their  foaming,  steeds. 

"  Dismount,  you  wretch  !  "  cried  Bledsoe,  as  he  kept  his 


232  TiiK  master's  house  ; 

spirited  horse  by  main  force  to  tlie  ground,  "  dismount,  I 
say ;  we  have  a  better  way  to  serve  your  carcass  than  to 
let  it  hang  across  a  Spanish  saddle," 

To  Toadvine,  the  command  seemed  to  cause  the  world 
to  be  passing  away  as  a  sheet  of  fire.  He  knew  that  he  was 
guilty  of  some  crime,  but  the  uncertainty  of  its  extent 
magnified  his  fears,  and  he  felt  as  if  an  awful  judgment  was 
upon  him.  Looking  around,  he  saw  faces  familiar  in  ap- 
pearance, yet  glaring  upon  him  with  strange  and  intense 
passion ;  a  confused  ringing  sound  passed  through  his  brain, 
and  fainting,  he  fell  from  his  horse. 

Before,  however,  he  reached  the  ground,  he  was  in  the 
arms  of  one  of  the  men,  and  by  the  time  he  recovered  his 
senses,  the  rope  that  had  deprived  poor  Jack  of  his  life, 
was  around  another  victim's  neck. 

Toadviue,  the  instant  he  felt  the  cord,  comprehended 
his  fate,  and  uttered  one  long,  loud  shriek  for  mercy ;  but 
ere  he  could  have  repeated  that  heart-rending  cry,  the  power 
to  do  so  would  have  been  at  an  end  for  ever,  had  not  Mild- 
may,  glowing  with  excitement,  rushed  into  the  ring ;  check- 
ing his  speed  so  abruptly,  that  his  horse's  hoofs  ploughed 
their  way  deeply  into  the  virgin  soil. 

Dark  and  lowering  looks  were  turned  upon  the  intruder, 
which  instantly  cleared  away,  as  some  one  exclaimed, 
"  Mildmay,  by  the  gods  !  " 

This  name  electrified  with  sudden  life  the  sinking  and 
terror-stricken  Toadvine,  who  frantically  seized  Mildmay's 
feet,  and  begged  him  for  the  love  of  God,  to  interfere  and 
save  his  life. 

The  young  man  though  calm,  was,  nevertheless  embar- 


A    TALK    OP    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  233 

passed,  and  turning  instinctively  towards  Gen.  Bledsoe, 
whom  he  did  not  know,  he  begged  to  be  informed  as  to  tho 
meaning  of  the  scene  enacted  before  him. 

The  fact  that  Toadviue  was  Mildmay's  overseer,  and 
that  it  was  Mildmay's  wrongs  the  party  was  professedly 
about  to  redress,  caused  his  unannounced  and  unexpected 
presence  to  be  greeted  with  a  respect  that  might,  under 
other  circumstances,  with  persons  so  excited,  have  been 
attended  with  a  different  result. 

Gen.  Bledsoe,  in  a  few  and  hastily-delivered  words,  ex- 
plained the  outrage. 

"  And  Jack  is  dead?  "  said  Mildmay,  snapping  his  eyes 
as  if  awaking  from  a  sleep. 

"  Yes,  dead  !  "  said  Bledsoe,  "  and  murdered  by  that 
skulking  wretch  who  is  hanging  at  your  heel." 

"  A  shame  and  an  outrage !  "  said  Mildmay,  his  face 
darkening,  as  he  kicked  himself  loose  from  the  overseer's 
grasp. 

"  A  shame  indeed,"  said  Gen.  Bledsoe,  his  face  burning 
with  excitement,  "  and  that  he  may  not  serve  others  so, 
tuck  him  up  boys,  and  let  the  buzzards  have  their  rights." 

"  You  would  not  hang  this  man,"  said  Mildmay,  leap- 
ing from  his  horse,  and  literally  throwing  himself  as  a 
shield  over  Toadvine's  prostrate  form.  "  Yoit  would  not 
hang  this  man.  Let  me  beg  of  you,  gentlemen,  that  the 
laws  have  their  sway  ;  let  my  injury  go  unredressed,  rather 
than  tarnish  our  honor  with  so  great  a  wrong  as  this." 

"  The  laws  be  d — d,"  said  a  fellow,  in  an  Arkansas 
blanket  coat,  seizing  hold  of  Toadvine's  shoulder.  '*  If 
you've  got  nothing  but  tho  law  to  reach  this  'ere  gentleman 


234  THE  master's  house  ; 

with,  he's  as  good  as  clear  to-day;  ain't  he,  Grineral  Bled- 
soe?" 

At  the  mention  of  this  name,  Mildmay  turned  toward 
the  person  addressed  and  said  : 

"  G-eneral  Bledsoe,  for  such  I  understand  you  to  be, 
permit  me  to  beg  as  a  personal  favor,  that  you  will  leave 
this  man  in  the  hands  of  the  law.  The  ease  is  too  plain 
to  fear  that  he  will  escape  the  penalty  due  his  crime,  and 
to  the  extent  of  the  law,  will  I  see  that  he  is  prosecuted 
and  punished." 

"What  say  you,  gentlemen?"  asked  Bledsoe,  looking 
around  upon  the  group  of  excited  faces — and  after  scanning 
them  for  a  moment,  he  said,  with  a  graceful  wave  of  the 
hand : 

"  Mr.  Mildmay,  that  creature  is  your  prisoner." 

At  this  announcement,  the  spectators  fairly  rocked  to 
and  fro  with  the  sudden  reaction  of  their  moral  feelings, 
and  Toadvine  fell  to  the  earth  as  if  struck  by  the  hand  of 
death. 

"  Well,  he's  made  a  die  of  it,  any  how,"  said  the  owner 
of  the  green  blanket  coat,  looking  at  Toadvine  with  comi- 
cal pity,  and  loosening  the  cord  about  his  neck, — "but 
maybe,"  the  fellow  continued,  "  this  will  bring  him  too," 
and  with  the  most  affecting  attention,  he  took  his  whiskey 
bottle  from  his  pocket  and  held  it  to  Toadvine's  nostrils. 

"  You  see,"  said  General  Bledsoe,  looking  at  Mildmay, 
and  playfully  pointing  at  the  rough  Samaritan  before  him, 
"you  see  that  Ben  Puekett  isn't  so  bad  a  man  after  all, 
although  he  has  a  poor  opinion  of  the  laws." 

Mildmay  forced  a  sickly  smile,  and  asked,  directing  his 


A    TALK    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFK.  235 

eye  to  Bledsoe,  "  if  lie  could  get  Mr.  Puckett  to  take  the 
prisoner  to  the  jail  at  Beechland,  if  he  were  paid  liberally 
for  the  trouble?  " 

"  Certainly  you  can,"  said  the  general  with  vivacity, 
"  and  I  will  be  responsible  that  Puckett  will  never  let  him 
go  until  he  has  the  jailer's  receipt  in  full  for  the  amiable 
gentleman." 

"  I'll  go  to  jail,"  said  Toadvine  with  a  humble  voice, 
and  absolutely  grown  wan  and  pallid  with  the  terror  he  had 
undergone. 

"  Of  course,  you  will,"  said  Puckett,  while  tying  Toad- 
vine's  elbows  behind  him, — "of  course  you  will;  ain't  I 
promised  to  take  you  ?  "  and  Puckett  laughed  at  his  own 
humor. 

The  crowd  now  dispersed.  All  left  evidently  satisfied, 
for  you  could  hear  the  merry,  ringing  laugh  of  different  in- 
dividuals, expressive  of  a  consciousness  of  being  relieved 
from  a  fearful  responsibility. 

Toadvine,  once  on  his  way,  soon  arrived  at  Beechland 
jail.  He  managed,  in  the  course  of  conversation  along  the 
road,  to  secure  Puckett's  friendship,  but  could  not  over- 
come the  sturdy  Kcntuckian's  innate  sense  of  honor  suffi- 
cient to  induce  him  to  let  his  prisoner  go,  as  was  suggested 
under  the  plea  of  "  accidental  escape."  Puckett  was  too 
powerful  as  a  man,  to  make  it  probable  that  he  could  be  mas- 
tered in  a  scuffle,  and  too  ambitious  mentally,  to  be  willing 
to  have  it  reported  that  he  was  outwitted,  when  placed  in  a 
responsible  position. 

"  And  what  do  you  'spose,"  said  Toadvine  to  Puck- 
ett, as  Beechland  appeared  in  view, — "  what  do  you  'spose 


236  THE  master's  house  ; 

they  make  such  a  fuss  about  the  killing  of  Jack  for,  any 
how  ?  " 

"  'Cause  you  didn't  own  him,"  said  Puckett  with  a  pa- 
tronizing manner. 

"  Perhaps  that  was  it,"  replied  Toadvine,  still  as  if  in 
a  dream,  and  riding  ii  short  distance  he  resumed  :  "  I  never 
heard  such  a  fuss  about  killing  a  nigger  before.  Thar 
was  Bill  Stiger  down  at  the  '  Oaks '  who  chopped  a  darkee 
into  pieces  with  a  cane  knife,  and  bragged  on  it  arterwards, 
and  he  was  never  touched." 

"  And  didn't  the  Grand  Jury  find  a  bill  ?  "  inquired 
Puckett. 

"  No,"  said  Toadvine  emphatically,  "  Stiger  run  off 
the  sheriff  with  a  double  barr'l,  and  swore  he  would  shoot 
any  juror  that  dar'd  indite  him." 

"  And  the  matter  ended  thar,  did  it  ?  "  inquired  Puckett 
with  solemnity. 

"  Of  course  it  ended,"  said  Toadvine,  overflowing  with 
a  sense  of  his  own  unjust  treatment — "  of  course  it  ended, 
and  Stiger  could  have  gone  to  the  Legislature  the  next 
'lection,  only  he  wouldn't." 

"  Well,  it's  too  bad,"  said  Puckett  with  a  sympathetic 
voice,  "  that  they  treat  you  so ;  but  no  matter,  Toady," 
said  he  playfully,  "  Buss',  Orcutt,  and  I,  will  come  up 
in  your  room  and  play  '  poker  '  and  '  seven  up,'  and  you 
shan't  want  for  friends,  you  know — and  we'll  have  a  real 
good  time  of  it,  and  no  mistake." 

With  this  assurance,  Toadvine,  who  was  unaccountably 
depressed  in  spirits,  when  left  to  his  own  reflections, 
brightened  up,  and  saw  that  lying  in  jail  a  few  weeks  wasn't 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  237 

SO  bad  after  all ;  while,  like  many  other  men  in  a  sim- 
ilar situation,  ho  began  to  realize  a  kind  of  satisfaction  in 
the  prospect  he  had  before  him,  of  becoming  an  object  of 
real  attention  to  the  crowd  about  the  court-house. 

Upon  arriving  at  the  suburbs  of  Beechland,  Puckett 
relieved  Toadvine  of  the  hated  rope  that  had  heretofore 
bound  his  elbows,  the  prisoner  solemnly  promising  not  to 
attempt  to  get  away,  and  Puckett  threatening  to  gplit  Toad- 
vine's  head  open,  if  he  did  forfeit  his  honor  by  any  such 
performance ;  "  for  you  see,"  said  Puckett,  opening  for  the 
last  time  the  knots  in  the  cord, — "you  see.  Toady,  /  gave 
my  word  to  General  Bledsoe,  that  I  would  take  you  to  jail, 
and  I  must  do  it  if  I  help  you  out  agin  at  sundown," 

The  ever  busy  Orcutt  answered  the  first  knock  at  the 
jail  door,  and  he  started  back  with  some  surprise  at  seeing 
Toadvine  safe  and  sound  before  him  : — "  Why,  I  thought 
you  went  off  this  mornin'y''  said  the  jailer,  unconscious  of 
the  severity  of  his  allusion. 

"  But  he  didn't,  though,"  said  Puckett  mysteriously, 
"  though  he  was  at  the  '  went  off  place,'  wasn't  you,  Toady." 

The  jests  were  too  suggestive  to  the  overseer  of  the  dark 
side  of  his  situation,  and  with  a  pallor  upon  his  cheek,  he 
requested  to  be  shown  to  his  room,  saying  that  he  "  felt 
sick,  and  wanted  rest. 


238  THE  master's  house; 


CHAPTER    XXL 


UNEXPECTED     RELATIONSHIP 


The  instant  that  Toadvine  disappeared,  and  -with  him  the 
different  persons  who  had  been  so  recently  engaged  in  his 
pursuit,  General  Bledsoe  turned  to  Mildmoy,  and  showed 
by  his  manner  a  desire  to  enter  into  familiar  conversation. 
The  two  gentlemen  consequently  rode  out  of  "  the  swamp," 
side  by  side,  and  so  continued  in  the  open  fields,  as  their 
road  necessarily  led  toward  Heritage  Place.  Mildmay  was 
himself  highly  delighted  with  General  Bledsoe,  and  as  he 
had  always  heard  him  spoken  of  as  one  of  the  most  influ- 
ential persons  in  the  surrounding  neighborhood,  Graham 
felt  more  than  ordinary  pleasure  that  a  mutual  friendship 
promised  to  be  the  result  of  a  most  singular  introduction. 
Long  before  the  two  had  reached  the  Heritage,  all  the 
particulars  of  Toadvine's  conduct  had  been  discussed  and 
commented  upon,  and  had  given  way  to  more  pleasing  sub- 
jects, and  General  Bledsoe  had,  with  exceeding  frankness, 
accepted  an  invitation  to  make  a  call  at  the  house  and  par- 
take of  some  slight  refreshment,  before  he  pursued  his  way 
homeward. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  239 

As  the  gentlemen  dismounted,  Wash  took  the  horses 
and  they  proceeded  on  through  the  lawn.  Annie  was  walk- 
ing on  the  upper  gallery,  and  as  Mildmay  looked  up  and 
greeted  her  with  a  suiile^  General  Bledsoe  instinctively 
turned  his  eye  also  upward,  and  unexpectedly  seeing  a 
lady,  raised  his  hat  and  passed  uncovered  into  the  house. 

Wash  soon  made  his  appearance,  and  armed  with  water 
and  a  snowy  napkin,  he  presented  them  to  the  general, 
who,  quietly  removing  his  gloves,  laved  his  hands,  while 
Mildmay  performed  the  same  pleasant  office  in  his  own 
room. 

When  Graham  returned  to  his  guest,  he  was  followed 
by  Wash  carrying  a  salver,  on  which  were  two  or  three 
kinds  of  choice  liqueurs,  and  a  box  of  superior  cigars.  The 
two  gentlemen  simply  went  through  the  ceremony  of 
drinking,  when  Gen.  Bledsoe  set  down  his  glass,  and 
taking  another,  and  filling  it  with  cool  water,  he  di-ank  it 
off  with  evident  satisfaction ;  and  then  throwing  himself 
into  an  easy  chair,  with  Mildmay  most  comfortably  dis- 
posed of,  directly  opposite  to  him,  cigars  were  selected 
and  lighted ;  and  after  a  few  moments'  silence,  the  general, 
slowly  blowing  the  smoke  from  his  mouth,  turned  to  l^Iild- 
may,  and  observed : 

"  From  your  given  name,  Mr.  Mildmay,  I  judge  that 
you  are  from  the  '  Old  North  State  ?" 

"  Such  is  the  fact,"  replied  Mildmay,  rousing  himself 
into  an  attitude  of  interest. 

"  Yet  I  think,"  continued  the  general,  in  a  musing 
manner,  "  that  Mildmay  is  not  a  North  Carolina  name?" 

''  It  is  not,"  said  Mildmay ;  "  while  my  mother's  fam- 


240  THE  master's  house  ; 

ily  name  is  very  common,  perhaps,  there  is  not  one  of  my 
surname  that  I  am  aware  of  in  the  State." 

"  Your  mother  then  was  a  Graham,"  said  the  general, 
still  deeply  musing.  "  The  Grahams  and  the  Bledsoes 
are  intimately  connected  :  was  your  family  from  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Mecklenberg  ?  " 

"  They  were  from  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Mecklen- 
berg," said  Mildmay. 

"  Then,  Mr.  Mildmay,"  said  the  general,  his  face  ani- 
mated with  a  smile,  "if  we  Americans  paid  much  atten- 
tion to  genealogical  trees,  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  we 
could  trace  ourselves  back  to  the  same  stock ;  I  know  of 
no  Mecklenberg  Grahams  that  are  not  relations  of  mine." 

"I  am  quite  flattered,"  said  Graham,  "by  your  sup- 
position ;  it  will  be  a  source  of  j^lcasure  for  me  to  know 
that  I  have  so  interesting,  though  so  vague  a  claim  upon 
your  good  opinion." 

"  And  not  so  vague,  either,"  interrupted  the  general. 
"  Your  grandfather,  or  great  uncle, — and  I  don't  know 
which, — just  at  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  married 
Hetty  Bledsoe,  and  we  are  certainly  third  cousins  at 
least." 

Graham  laughed,  and  replied,  "he  hoped  it  were 
true." 

At  this  instant,  the  young  mistress  of  Heritage  Place 
came  into  the  room.  She  was  attired  in  a  simple  dress  of 
white,  and  had  endeavored  to  assume  a  dignified  appear- 
ance by  arranging  her  hair  over  her  temples ;  but  the 
straggling  curls  peeped  out  quite  comically,  in  spite  of  her 
labor  :  a  delicate  rosebud  and  a  few  green  leaves  glistened 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE,  241 

on  her  bosom,  Annie  had  become  so  unaccustomed  to 
society  save  that  of  her  husband,  that  the  appearance  of  a 
stranger  brought  a  slight  blush  to  her  cheeks,  and  height- 
ened her  natural  beauty. 

"  Mrs.  Mildmay — General  Bledsoe,"  said  Graham, 
rising. 

The  general  rose  from  his  seat,  and  placing  his  hand 
upon  his  heart,  he  bowed,  as  if  a  courtier  by  profession ; 
and  then  extending  his  hand,  he  just  touched  the  tips  of 
Annie's  fingers,  and  remarked  : 

''  I  am  happy  to  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting  with  a 
lady  whose  presence  has  added  so  much  grace  and  beauty 
to  our  vicinity.  At  this  very  moment,  I  was  trying  to 
prove  to  your  good  husband  that  we  were  some  sort  of 
cousins  at  least ;  and  now,"  he  continued,  smiling  at  An- 
nie, "  I  shall  especially  insist  that  I  am  right." 

Annie  expressed  her  gratification  at  Gen.  Bledsoe's 
evident  cordiality  of  manner, — more  by  her  eyes,  than  by 
her  remarks;  the  conversation  soon  became  discursive 
and  agreeable,  and  when  Gen.  Bledsoe  left  Heritage  Place, 
a  mutual  friendship  had  sprung  up  between  himself  and 
its  occupants  :  and  this  feeling  seemed  to  have  been 
founded  rather  upon  long  years  of  intercourse,  than  an 
accidental  meeting  of  an  hour's  duration. 

The  moment  Gen.  Bledsoe  left,  Mildmay  ordered 
"  old  Uncle  Dan"  to  go  to  Beechland,  and  bring  up  the 
Ijody  of  Jack,  that  it  might  be  decently  interred  ujumi  the 
plantation. 

Uncle  Dan  was  an  eccentric,  stuttering  old  man,  who 
believed  in  charms  and  necromancy,  and  was  looked  upon 
11 


242  THE  master's  house; 

by  Lis  fellow-slaves  with  considerable  superstitious  dread. 
When  he  was  told  to  get  his  cart,  and  the  object  of  his 
errand,  Old  Dan  rolled  up  the  white  of  his  eyes  in  the 
most  alarming  manner,  and  inquired, 

"  Wha — wha — what  make  Jack  done  die  for  ?" 

"  You  will  hear  that  some  other  time,"  said  Mildmay, 
a  cloud  passing  over  his  face  at  the  recollection  of  the 
boy's  fate;   "  do  as  I  tell  you,  and  ask  no  questions  now." 

"  But  master,"  said  Dan,  his  face  still  indicating  un- 
mitigated terror,  "  Wha — wha — what  I  goiu'  to  do  alone 
wid  such  a  funeral  ?  " 

"  Come  straight  back  from  town,"  said  Mildmay, 
sternly;  "and  if  you  stop  by  the  way  at  any  of  those 
groggeries  on  the  edge  of  Beechland,  j^ou  will  regret  it, 
sir,  for  the  rest  of  the  year." 

"  Wh' — wh' — why,  master,  you  tink  I  do  dat?"  and 
Dan  hobbled  off  with  a  manner  that  would  leave  an  im- 
pression upon  those  who  did  not  know  him,  that  he  was 
exceedingly  injured  at  Mildmay's  imputation  on  his  im- 
maculate character. 

Dan  went  to  the  stable,  and  catching  a  mule  that  was 
used  for  all  work,  he  put  on  the  harness,  and  then  attached 
the  cart;  and  having  arranged  every  thing  to  suit  his 
mind,  he  crept  into  the  loft,  and  brought  down  a  bag  of 
shelled  corn;  then  going  to  his  own  garden-patch,  he 
pulled  up  a  few  vegetables,  nearly  gone  to  seed,  and 
placed  them  beside  the  corn  ;  then  jumping  over  the  fence 
into  his  mistress's  garden,  he  crawled  upon  his  hands  and 
knees  among  some  low  bushes,  covered  by  what  was  once 
the  shed  of  a  bee-house,  and  dexterously  took  two  setting 


A    TALK     OF    SOUTHERN    LIKE.  243 

hens,  of  the  Bantam  breed,  from  off  their  nests ;  and  put- 
ting the  exposed  eggs  in  his  pockets,  he  got  back  safely  to 
his  cart  :  and  arranging  the  eggs  in  some  cotton  seed,  and 
tying  the  hens  like  a  bundle  in  a  handkerchief,  he  covered 
the  whole  up  with  '  dry  fodder,'  and  with  a  sanctimonious 
look,  drove  out  into  the  highway. 

Mildmay,  who  was  temporarily  occupied  in  superin- 
tending some  repairs  in  the  road,  was  sitting  on  his  horse, 
when  Dan  made  his  appearance ;  and  as  the  old  negro 
humbly  touched  his  hat  to  "  master,"  he  remarked  : 

"  I  see,  Dan,  you  have  not  forgotten  the  old  mule's 
appetite,  judging  from  the  fodder  you  take  along  with 
you." 

Dan  covered  up  the  confusion  of  his  face,  by  pretending 
to  look  at  something  in  his  rear,  and  then  pulling  his  old 
hat  over  his  eyes,  as  a  mark  of  respect  to  his  master,  he 
passed  on  without  detection.  Mildmay  under  ordinary  cir- 
cumstances would  have  discovered  the  fraud,  but  his  mind 
was  too  much  occupied  by  the  events  of  the  day,  to  observe 
all  the  minor  incidents  passing  before  him. 

Dan,  as  is  the  case  with  all  old  negroes,  had  a  way  of 
conversing  with  himself,  and  if  you  could  overhear  him, 
it  would  be  dif&cult,  at  first,  to  imagine  that  he  was  really 
alone,  he  gave  such  effect  to  his  "  thinking  aloud," — the 
moment  therefore  he  got  out  of  reach  of  observation,  he 
commenced  giving  expression  to  his  thoughts  : — 

Wha-wha-wha-wal,  I  didn't  take  de  big  hens,  wha- 
wha-wha-what  was  worth  something  to  mistress,  not  me ; 
tuck  de  little  ones  jus  worth  notin  at  all — hc-he-hc — tuck 
em  cause  de  eggs  all  done  spile  by  de  thunder — and  ain't 


244  THE  master's  house; 

dat  my  corn,  any  how  you  can  fix  it  ? — wha-wlia-wlia-Avliat 
you  get  along  dat  away  for,  Dick  Johnson  (hitting  the 
mule  over  the  back),  can't  ye  see  de  rut,  widout  old  Dan 
tellin'  you  ?  " 

In  similar  pleasant  conversation,  D*n  indulged,  until 
he  reached  the  suburb  of  Beechland,  and  then  stopping  his 
mule,  he  cautiously  looked  around  to  see  if  any  one  was 
near  him,  when  satisfying  himself  that  he  was  not  observed, 
he  took  out  his  stolen  goods,  and  depositing  them  with 
precipitation  underneath  some  brush  by  the  road  side,  he 
hobbled  into  his  seat  and  rode  along. 

In  a  few  moments  he  was  in  the  town — among  the  old 
ruined  buildings  that  every  where  met  the  eye,  was  one 
distinguishable  for  having  doors  still  on  their  fastenings, 
and  windows  patched  with  paper,  and  sashes  filled  with 
rags.  Across  the  front  of  this  wretched  house,  was  painted 
"  Grocery,"  but  some  wag  had  blotted  up  the  bottom  curve 
of  the  c,  and  it  read,  grocery,  which  w»B  really  the  idea 
the  sign  was  intended  to  convey. 

As  Dan  neared  this  noticeable  place,  he  commenced 
hallooing  with  unususal  vehemence  to  his  mule,  at  the 
same  time,  by  pretending  the  animal  would  not  obey  the 
reins,  he  managed  to  land  close  against  the  door,  which 
was  immediately  opened,  and  Dan  was  greeted  by  a  rough- 
looking  white  man, — a  few  telegraphic  signs  passed  be- 
tween the  pair,  and  the  negro  assimiing  his  naturally  inno- 
cent and  stolid  look,  continued  his  journey. 

Passing  by  a  large  and  evidently  a  substantial  store, 
a  very  gentlemanly-looking  young  man  hallooed  out  to 
Dan, 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN'    LIFE.  245 

"  Ho  !  boy,  don't  you  belong  to  Mr.  Mildmay  ?  " 

"  Ye-ye-yes — master,"  said  Dan  touching  his  hat. 

"Then,"  said  the  gentleman,  "when  you  go  home,  stop 
here,  I  have  something  to  put  in  your  cart." 

"  Ye-ye-yes,  sir,"  said  Dan,  again  touching  his  apo- 
logy for  a  hat. 

Without  more  adventure,  Dan  reached  the  court-house, 
■where  still  lay,  and  entirely  alone,  the  body  of  the  unfortu- 
nate Jack,  but  now  protected  from  the  vulgar  gaze,  by  a 
straight-sided  box,  made  of  rough  boards,  which  had  been 
supplied  by  the  order  of  the  coroner. 

Dan  sat  in  his  cart,  and  filled  with  strange  emotions, 
eyed  askance  the  wreck  of  mortality. — As  we  have  said, 
he  was  superstitious,  aud  he  had  a  terrible  dread  of  the 
dead. 

"  "WTia-wha-wha-what  in  de  world  massa  send  old 
Dan  down  here  for, — spose  Jack  come  back  agin,  and  I 
'lone  in  de  woods,  wha-wha-wha-what  cum  of  old  Dan, 
ha  ?  "  and  the  poor  fellow  seemed  to  expect  that  every  mo- 
ment he  should  be  assaulted  by  spirits  from  another  world. 

Not  many  moiaents  passed,  however,  before  Dan  was 
surrounded  by  a  number  of  idle  negro  gossips,  and  long 
and  dismal  storie*  and  fearful  reminiscences  were  given, 
until  from  talking  and  listening,  they  would  start  at  their 
owu  voices — then  anxious  to  get  away  from  the  suggesting 
cause  of  so  much  terror,  they  helped  Dan  to  place  the  coffin 
in  the  cart,  and  rapidly  disappeared. 

The  negro,  now  almost  paralyzed  with  fear  and  trem- 
bling, took  out  his  charm,  and  addressing  the  little  par- 
cel as  if  it  had  been  an  intelligent  being,  asked  of  it  to 


246  THE  master's  house; 

aflford  him  protection  in  the  clai'k  woods,  and  not  to  let 
Jack  come  back  and  hurt  him ;  and  he  then  started  for 
home :  but  soon  coming  up  to  the  store,  where  he  was  re- 
quested to  stop,  one  of  the  clerks,  without  deigning  to  ask 
Dan  what  he  had  for  his  load,  put  a  bale  of  rope,  a  box  of 
raisins,  and  a  cheese,  on  top  of  the  coffin ;  told  Dan  "  to 
get  them  to  his  master  safe,"  and  ran  back  into  the  store. 

"  Wa-wa-well,"  said  Dan,  as  he  moved  along,  "  got 
something  else  in  dat  cart  to  keep  old  Dan  company; 
s'pose  old  Dan  tinks  da-da-da-dat  box  empty,  den  it's  aU 
right :  go  'long,  Dick  Johnson,"  jerking  the  mule,  "  don't 
be  getting  to  sleep  at  dis  time  ob  day.  Oh,  Lord ! 
wha-a-a-what  will  become  of  old  niggers?"  and  for  a 
moment  lost  in  this  reflection,  he  broke  out  in  a  loud 
voice,  "  Dar's  Dick  a  dancin'  wid  my  gal — ^le-le-let  de  cot- 
ton grow,  who  car's — old  Dan  is  all  de  way  from  old  Kain- 
tuck — Virginny  shuffle — ^master's  home — ^keep  de-de-de 
pot  a  bilin  as  you  pass  over  Jourdan.  Wha-wha-wha — 
oh,  Lord ! " 

Arriving  at  the  place  where  he  deposited  his  "  plun- 
der," he  got  down  from  his  seat,  and  looking  cautiously 
aroimd,  thrust  his  hand  under  the  bush,  and  pulled  out 
a  bottle  of  whiskey  "corked"  with  a  corncob;  and  taking 
therefrom  a  hearty  swig,  he  resumed  his  place,  more  vocif- 
erous than  ever. 

Towards  midnight  the  body  of  Jack  was  deposited  in 
his  humble,  but  once  happy  cabin. 

The  grave  had  already  been  dug;  and  just  as  the 
moon  commenced  rising  above  the  horizon,  a  few  fellow- 
servants,  who  kindly  remembered  Jack,  joined  in  a  funeral 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  247 

procession  to  pay  tlie  last  tribute  to  the  obscure  dead. 
As  the  bumble  mourners  moved  along,  the  simple  hymn 
went  up,  that  breathed  a  hope  of  immortality.  The  body 
was  lowered  iuto  its  last  resting-place, — the  cold  sod  fell 
heavily  upon  the  rude  encasement.  When  the  burial  was 
completed,  the  old  negro  workman  gave  a  last  pat  with  his 
heavy  spade,  and  said, 

"  Thank  old  Marster  above  !  Jack's  done  got  free  pa- 
pers at  last." 

Major  Trimmer  was  not  disappointed  in  his  expecta- 
tions of  a  client,  when  he  saw  the  murdered  body  of  Jack, 
for  he  knew  that  he  must  be  "engaged  for  the  defence," 
for  no  sooner  had  Toadvine  time  to  collect  his  ideas, 
than  he  sent  the  jailer  to  the  major ;  as  might  be  expected. 
Trimmer  immediately  answered  the  summons. 

The  moment  Major  Trimmer  entered  Toadvine's  cell, 
he  assumed  a  vacant  look,  and  answered  every  question 
with  the  bluntest  imaginable  monosyllables.  To  such  an 
extent  Avas  this  carried,  that  his  client  finally  became  ner- 
vous, and  asked  an  explanation. 

"  The  fii-st  thing  to  be  attended  to,"  said  the  major, 
suddenly  finding  his  loquacious  tongue,  "  is  the  fee ;  ar- 
range for  that,  and  we  will  at  once  proceed  to  business." 

"  And  how  much  will  it  be  ?"  asked  Toadvine,  putting 
his  hand  in  his  pocket. 

"  A  thousand  dollars  would  be  a  small  sum  for  so  bad 
a  case  as  yours ;  but,  considering  you  are  not  too  rich,  I'll 
say  five  hundred." 

"  You  don't  mean  to  say  you  charge  five  hundred  for 


248  THE  master's  house  ; 

getting  me  out  of  this  little  affair,  do  you  ?  "  said  Toadvine, 
gaping  in  astonisliment. 

"  I  don't  know  what  you  call  a  little  affair,"  said  the 
major,  rising  and  buttoning  his  coat,  as  if  intending  to  go  ; 
"  if  living  in  the  penitentiary  for  ten  years  is  a  little 
affair,  I  hope  you  will  have  a  good  time  of  it." 

"  But  you  don't  think  it  is  any  thing  serious,  do  you  ?  " 
inquired  Toadvine,  becoming  alarmed. 

"  Why,  if  being  in  custody,  with  a  clear  case  of  killing 
against  you,  and  the  whole  community  in  arms,  ain't 
serious,  then  I  have  studied  my  profession  in  vain." 

"  I  see,"  said  Toadvine,  his  fears  coming  upon  him 
with  tenfold  force — "  I  see,  but  how  can  I  pay  you  so  large 
a  sum,  when  I  haven't  got  the  money?" 

"  Well,  what  have  you  got  ?  "  inquired  the  major,  sen- 
tentiously. 

"  There's  my  horse,"  said  Toadvine,  with  bitterness ; 
"he  is  worth  seventy-five  dollars." 

"  Well,"  said  the  major. 

"  Then  here  is  a  due-bill  on  Smithers  &  Co.,  drawn 
at  ninety  days  by  Mr.  Mildmay,  for  one  hundred  and  sixty 
dollars  " 

"  Well,"  echoed  the  major. 

"  And  is  not  that  enough  to  commence  with  ?  "  gasped 
Toadvine,  for  the  first  time  beginning  to  feel  that  it  did 
cost  something  to  "  kill  a  nigger." 

"  Why,"  said  the  major,  reckoning  a  moment  in  his 
head,  "  if  I  take  the  horse  and  due-bill  even  as  cash,  they 
will  only  make  two  hundred  and  forty-four  dollars ;  secure 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  249 

me  enougli  to  make  up  tlie  five  hundred,  else  I  shall  have 
no  excuse  to  keep  me  from  appearuig  for  the  State." 

"  You  wouldn't  go  agin  me?"  said  Toadvine,  turning 
pale  with  apprehension. 

"  I  must  make  a  living,"  said  the  major,  as  cold  as 
marble. 

"  But,"  said  Toadvine,  more  than  ever  sorry  that  he 
had  killed  Jack,  "  I  have  no  other  property  except  an  \m- 
divided  interest  in  the  boy  Jo,  now  in  the  possession  of 
Col.  Price." 

"  How  much  do  you  own  of  that  nigger  ?  " 

"  One  half,"  said  Toadvine. 

"  And  do  you  think  I  could  buy  the  other  half  of 
Price?" 

"  I  think  not,  because,  you  see,  ever  since  Col.  Price 
parted  from  his  wife,  she  won't  sign  away,  what  he  calls, 
her  '  infernal  rights.' " 

"  Paraphernal  rights,"  you  mean,  said  the  major,  his 
eye  beaming  with  conscious  superiority. 

"  Well,  it's  something  that  keeps  Price  from  selling 
his  half  of  Jo,  and  that's  all  I  know  about  it." 

Now  the  major  had  informed  himself  in  advance  of  all 
the  property  that  Toadvine  was  worth,  so  pulling  out  a 
paper,  and  a  pocket  inkstand,  he  made  a  preliminary 
transfer  to  himself  of  all  Toadvine's  worldly  goods,  viz., 
the  horse, — Mildmay's  due-bill, — and  the  legal  possession 
of  half  of  the  negro  boy  Jo ;  that  being  done,  the  major  at 
once  entered  upon  the  business  before  him,  and  in  less 
than  ten  minutes  satisfied  Toadvine  that  it  was  now  easy 
to  get  him  clear  of  the  consequences  of  killing  Jack, — 
11* 


250  THE  master's  house  ; 

which  made  Toadvine  again  come  to  the  conclusion  in  his 
own  mind,  that  twenty  dollars  was  even  more  than  enough 
to  pay  any  one  for  getting  him  out  of  "  this  little  ajffair." 
After  a  great  deal  of  "tacking  and  filling"  by  the 
major,  more  to  affect  the  imagination  of  his  client  than 
any  thing  else,  it  was  finally  agreed  that  the  "  habeas  cor- 
pus "  was  not  to  be  attempted,  because  it  might  be  possi- 
ble that  the  judge  would  be  strict,  as  the  excitement  on 
the  public  mind  was  decidedly  against  the  prisoner.  And 
Major  Trimmer  came  to  the  conclusion,  also,  that  it  was 
possibly  safer  for  Toadvine  to  stay  in  jail  than  to  run  the 
risk  of  falling  into  the  hands  of  Gen.  Bledsoe  and  his 
friends ;  and  by  way  of  consolation  to  the  prisoner,  he  said : 
"  By  lying  in  a  jail  a  few  weeks  before  the  trial,  it  will 
create  a  sympathy  for  you  outside ;  and  will  enable  me  to 
show  the  jury,  that  even  while  the  law  presumed  that  you 
were  innocent,  you  had  suffered  sufficient  punishment, 
even  if  guilty  of  the  crime  charged  :"  and  with  these  rea- 
sons, Toadvine  was  content  to  remain  in  durance  vile. 


I 


A    TALR    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

DIXON    JOURNEYS    ON    BUSINESS. 

Dixon  amused  himself  while  in  Washington  by  attend- 
ing the  debates  in  "  both  houses  of  Congress."  He  was 
quite  a  politician  in  his  way,  and  nothing  pleased  him  so 
much,  he  said,  "  as  to  hear  Southern  members  talk  to 
Northern  representatives,  as  if  they  owned  them." 

From  some  of  the  "  M.  C.'s"  of  the  "  Middle  States  " 
he  obtained  much  valuable  information  relative  to  the 
"  supply,"  and  from  others  of  the  extreme  southwest,  of 
the  "  demand  "  for  negroes.  His  address  in  commandincr 
attention  from  "public  men"  was  much  admired  by  Dix- 
on's confederates,  and  was  frequently  alluded  to  by  them 
as  one  of  the  many  evidences  of  his  uncommon  talents. 

Dixon  himself  felt  his  decided  superiority  in  this  re- 
spect, and  would  sometimes  amuse  his  friends  with  anec- 
dotes, illustrating  how  he  used  these  very  gentlemen  for 
his  own  purposes.  He  mentioned  several  particular  cases 
where  he  got  possession  of  "favorite  body  servants"  by 
advancing  a  few  hundred  dollars  just  at  the  time  their 
masters  were  hard  up  at  the  gaming-table,  or  deprived  of 


252  THE  master's  house  ; 

their  reason,  by  the  long-continued  debauch  ;  for  he  took  a 
sort  of  malicious  satisfaction  in  getting  the  better  in  a 
bargain  of  men,  who,  though  at  the  time  overreached  by 
him,  were  nevertheless  receiving  the  echoed  plaudits  of 
the  country,  for  "  their  great  speeches  in  the  national 
councils." 

One  night  after  sitting  out  a  very  "  late  debate," 
Dixon  walked  slowly  out  of  the  "  Capitol"  toward  "his 
pen,"  on  the  suburbs  of  the  city.  It  must  have  been 
eleven  o'clock,  when  his  signal  was  recognized  by  the  sleepy 
attendant,  who  let  him  in. 

"  Has  Hovey  got  back  from  Colesburg,  Putty-face  ?  " 
said  he,  taking  his  seat  at  the  rude  pine  table,  and  pulling 
out  a  little  leather-covered  note-book,  preparatory  to  look- 
ing over  its  contents. 

"  He's  come  back,  and  has  just  turned  in,"  said  the 
man,  snuffing  the  candle  with  his  thumb  and  forefinger. 

"  Tell  him  I  want  to  see  him,"  said  Dixon,  looking 
over  his  note-book. 

"  Putty-face  "  walked  across  the  room,  opened  a  door, 
and  exposed  upon  a  rude  bench,  a  man  with  his  clothes  on, 
and  asleep. 

"  Wake  up  here  !"  said  he,  giving  the  man  a  shake. 

Hovey  sprang  upright  in  bed,  and  although  still  al- 
most asleep,  had  instinctively,  as  it  were,  grasped  a  long 
knife  that  was  under  his  pillow,  and  opening  his  eyes,  de- 
manded in  most  shockingly  profane  language,  what  was  the 
matter  ? 

"  Dixon  wants  you,"  was  the  simple  reply. 

"  T  was  dreaming  just  now,"  said  Hovey,  putting  up 


A   TALE    OF   SOUTHERN    LIFE.  253 

his  knife,  and  hunting  around  for  his  shoes,  "  that  some- 
body was  going  to  cut  my  throat ;  "  and  after  uttering  this 
pleasant  reminiscence,  he  shuffled  into  Dixon's  presence, 
and  took  a  seat  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  table. 

For  some  moments  the  negro  trader  continued  to  ex- 
amine the  hieroglyphic  marks  before  him,  when  he  turned 
around  suddenly  to  Hovey,  and  said  : 
'  What  news  from  Colesburg  ?  " 
'  Nothing,"  said  Hovey,  sententiously. 
"  You  think  that  no  more  niggers  can  be  bought  in  that 
neighborhood  ?" 

"  I  do,"  responded  Hovey,  at  the  same  time  yawning 
excessively. 

"  And  I  don't,"  said  Dixon,  with  a  confident  tone  of 
voice  :  "  you  see,  Hovey,  when  you  think  you  have  got  all 
the  niggers  out  of  a  place,  the  best  ones  is  ginerally  left 
behind.  Niggers  is  like  pigs, — them  that  ain't  worth 
much  run  ahead,  and  come  into  market  before  them  that 
will  bring  the  most  money." 

"  I  didn't  hear  of  any,"  sleepily  drawled  Hovey. 
"  Did  you  inquire  about  old  General  Blueridge's  house 
servants  ?"  asked  Dixon,  looking  attentively  at  his  book. 
"  He  sold  all  out  last  spring." 
"  And  old  Governor  Fenton,  what's  he  doing?" 
"  I  think  you  could  get  his  boy  now,  if  you  went  your- 
self." 

"  And  what  makes  you  think  so  ?"  asked  Dixon,  quite 
animatedly. 

"  'Cause  he's  out  for  office,  and  must  treat  to  get  'lected." 
Dixon,  when  he  heard  this  reply,  laid  down  his  book, 


254  THE  master's  house  ; 

and  looked  at  his  assistant  for  some  seconds  with  intense 
admiration,  and  then  said  : 

"  Hovey,  you  are  larnin' — for  if  Fenton  is  on  the 
stump  agin,  I  could  lend  him  money  on  his  soul,  if  it  was 
worth  a  mortgage ;  to  say  nothing  of  that  yaller  fellow  he 
calls  '  Cgesar,  my  boy ! ' "  and  Dixon  made  a  rude  note  in 
his  book. 

"  And  supposin'  you  do  lend  him  money  ?"  asked  Ho- 
vey, with  some  interest. 

"  Suppose  I  do  ! "  replied  Dixon,  triumphantly,  "  why, 
if  you  lend  a  man,  about  such  a  place  as  Colesburg,  a 
few  hundred  on  any  thing,  you  must  close  the  mortgage 
when  it's  due,  to  get  your  money  back.  I've  seen 
niggers  that  their  masters  thought  as  much  of,  as  they 
did  of  their  own  flesh  and  blood,  and  perhaps  they  had 
reason  to,  and  they  wouldn't  sell,  oh  no  !  too  conscientious 
— under  too  many  obligations  to  the  darkee,  and  his  dad 
and  mammy  before  him,  to  let  him  go  to  Louisiana ;  but  they 
would  borrow  two  or  three  hundred  till  next  fall,  and  give 
the  '  pet,'  as  collateral  security — ^when  I  cum  round  agin, 
and  wanted  the  money,  the  men  would  all  go  into  the  dig- 
nified, and  the  women  into  the  hysterics,  but  the  darkee 
was  mine,  no  fault  of  theirs,  of  course/ — 'my  hard 
heart ! '  '  my  cruel  disposition '  did  jist  all — it's  a  great 
game,  this  world !  "  said  Dixon,  apparently  confounded  at 
the  magnitude  of  his  own  thoughts  and  reflections. 

After  a  few  moments  musing,  the  trader  started  up,  and 
said,  "  I'll  take  the  cars  to-morrow  morning,  and  go  to  Coles- 
burg myself.  There's  one  or  two  light  mulatto  girls  there, 
I  must  have  at  any  price.     If  Kagan  sends  around  a  ne- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  255 

gro  to-morrow,  with  a  swelled  throat,  and  a  seton  in  his 
neck;  put  the  sick  cu&s  down  iu  the  cellar  until  I  come 
back,  maybe  he's  got  something  catching.  I  bought  that 
old  negro,  Randolph,  to-day,  of  Wilkins,  and  also  the 
buggy,  and  the  wheelbarrows ;  have  the  buggy  put  under 
the  shed  and  covered  up,  and  if  old  Randolph  hasn't  got 
any  bedclothes,  he  must  rough  it  the  best  way  he  can.  If 
that  widow  lady,  who  keeps  the  fashionable  hotel,  near 
the  '  white  house,'  and  wants  a  middle-aged,  respectable- 
looking  negro  man,  for  a  table  waiter,  thinks  Homer  is  too 
old,  have  his  front  teeth  filed  down,  his  hair  well  dyed, 
and  his  skin  greased,  and  keep  him  up  until  I  come  back 
from  Colesburg, — and,  finally,"  said  Dixon,  putting  up  his 
memorandum  book,  "  if  any  body  wants  to  see  me  very 
much,  say  I  shall  bo  gone  a  week;  and  now  go  to  bed,  if 
you  want  to,  and  I'll  turn  in,  myself." 

Dixon,  at  the  conclusion  of  these  general  remarks, 
without  ceremony  took  the  light,  and  examining  the  fast- 
enings of  the  front  door,  and  walking  across  the  room,  and 
putting  his  ear  to  the  keyhole  of  the  door  that  opened 
into  the  cells  of  the  negroes  in  "his  yard;"  he  seemed 
to  be  satisfied  that  all  was  right,  and  going  into  a  rather 
comfortable  adjoining  room,  hastily  retired,  and  was  soon 
asleep. 

Colesburg,  although  much  gone  to  decay,  was  originally 
one  of  the  most  pleasant  and  thriving  towns  in  Virginia. 
For  more  than  thirty  years,  it  had  gradually  declined  in 
population  and  importance.  The  people  of  the  surrounding 
country  had,  one  after  another,  moved  away  to  the  south 
and  west,  leaving  large  tracts  of  worn-out  land,  dotted 


256  THE    MASTEB  S    HOUSE  ; 

over  with  stately,  but  decaying  residences,  altogether  pre- 
senting the  most  terrible  pictures  of  desolation  that  could 
offend  the  eye,  or  harrow  up  the  heart. 

From  the  vicinity  of  Colesburg,  Dixon  had  for  many 
years,  through  his  agents,  purchased  a  large  part  of  the 
choicest  "  house-raised  "  negroes,  which  he  offered  for  sale 
in  New  Orleans,  but  never  having  been  to  the  place  him- 
self, he  was  on  the  occasion  of  his  present  visit,  a  perfect 
stranger  to  the  town. 

In  accordance  with  his  usual  manner  of  doing  business, 
he  desired  to  have  the  purpose  of  his  visit  to  Colesburg 
unknown  until  he  satisfied  himself  what  were  the  chances 
of  accomplishing  his  wishes ;  for  Dixon  knew  from  sad  ex- 
perience, that  however  anxious  people  might  be  to  sell 
their  "property,"  they  visited  upon  him,  as  a  negro-trader, 
indignation  that  should  have  been,  as  he  thought,  "equally 
shared  by  those  who  furnished  the  articles  of  traffic." 

Dixon  therefore,  on  his  arrival  at  Colesburg,  wrote  his 
name  in  the  hotel  books,  and  under  "  residence,"  put "  Bos- 
ton, Ms.,"  a  bit  of  shrewdness  that  had  on  more  than  one 
occasion,  answered  the  desired  purpose ;  and  having  done 
this,  and  directed  his  baggage  to  be  sent  to  his  room,  he 
strolled  leisurely  about  the  streets. 

The  morning  following  Dixon's  arrival  at  Colesburg, 
was  Sunday,  and  after  breakfast  he  dressed  with  more  than 
usual  care,  combed  his  hair  over  his  forehead,  and  walked 
down  stairs,  preparatory  to  fulfilling  a  determination  of  go- 
ing to  church.  On  the  porch  of  the  hotel,  he  saw  a  gen- 
tleman, who  seemed  to  have  a  communicative  sort  of  ex- 
pression, and  Dixon  in  his  direct  way  asked  him, — "  If 


A    TALE    OV    SOl'TUEKN    LIKi;.  25*7 

the  large  church  he  saw  iu  the  centre  of  Colesburg  had  a 
gallery  ?  " 

"  It  has  a  gallery,"  said  the  individual  addressed,  "  but 
it  is  principally  occupied  by  negroes.  If  you  will  see  the 
sexton,  Col.  Graves,  he  will,  no  doubt,  show  you  to  a  seat 
down  stairs,  and  among  some  of  our  '  best  families.'  " 

"  I  am  not  very  particular  whereabouts  I  worship," 
said  Dixon,  with  an  irony  he  could  scarcely  conceal. 

"  You  Northerners  don't  seem  to  be  as  particular  in  these 
matters  as  the  Virginians  are,"  said  the  garrulous  speaker. 

"  And  how  do  you  know  I  am  a  Northerner  ?  "  said 
Dixon,  turning  abruptly  upon  the  unfortunate  object  of  his 
displeasure. 

"  I  reckon  a  man  that  hails  from  Boston  can't  be  much 
else,"  said  the  man,  evidently  delighted  with  his  own 
shrewdness,  "  but  you  needn't  get  angry  about  it,"  he  gra- 
ciously observed,  "  for  I  never  think  more  or  less  of  a  man 
merely  on  account  of  his  birth-place." 

"  But  I  do,"  returned  Dixon,  his  face  a  good  deal 
flushed. 

The  man  looked  at  him  a  moment  with  evident  grat- 
ification, and  went  on. 

"  I  am  happy  to  meet  with  a  Northern  man,  who  has 
such  sentiments — I  honor  you  for  it.  It's  an  old  Virginia 
weakness,  sir,  to  be  proud  of  one's  native  State.  If  I  came 
from  Boston  even,  I  should  state  the  fact — ^bear  the  conse- 
quences— be  a  Yankee." 

"  But  I  am  not  such  a  hell  of  a  Yankee  as  you  take 
me  to  be,"  said  Dixon,  boiling  internally  with  wrath,  yet 


258  THE  master's  house; 

not  forgetting  the  association  connected  with  his  name  on 
the  •'  register.' 

"I  thought  so  myself,"  returned  the  man,  with  some 
vivacity,  "  for  you  see  I  look  over  the  hotel  books  every 
morning,  and  I  can  tell  where  people  were  raised  by  their 
handwriting." 

"  How  can  you  do  that  ?  "  asked  Dixon  eagerly. 

"  Why,  you  see,"  returned  this  '  Mr.  Pry,'  that  the 
genuine  Yankee  always  dots  his  I's  and  crosses  his  T's, 
and  writes  his  name  straight  along,  whether  the  paper  is 
ruled  or  not,  but  the  Southerner  generally  goes  up  and 
down,  and  crosswise,  and  don't  stop  to  attend  to  vulgar, 
mechanical  particulars." 

Dixon  wrote  his  signature  so  that  it  was  easily  made 
out,  but  the  chirography  resembled  the  first  efibrts  of  an 
untutored  child.  There  was  a  want  of  decision  about  the 
letters,  that  had  caused  him  much  mortification,  but 
when  he  learned  from  '  Mr.  Pry  '  that  his  pot-hooks  and 
spider  tracks  had  a  southern  air  about  them,  he  was  ex- 
ceedingly delighted  that  he  possessed  this,  to  him  hereto- 
fore unknown  evidence  of  sectionality,  and  with  a  smile  of 
unusual  satisfaction,  he  walked  into  the  street. 

Dixon  managed  to  arrive  at  the  "  sacred  edifice  "  just 
before  the  services  commenced,  and  walking  up  into  the 
gallery  of  the  church,  he  took  one  of  the  seats  appropriat- 
ed for  the  whites — seats  seldom  visited  except  by  the  poor- 
est and  humblest  citizens.  In  fact  the  vicinity  might  have 
been  with  propriety  termed  "  proscribed,"  for  it  was  gen- 
erally   supposed,  that  any  one  who  would  advertise  his 


A    T.\LE    OF    SOUTlIIiUN    LIFE.  259 

graceless  condition,  by  occupying  these  "free  seats,"  gave 
evidence  of  being  utterly  lost  to  all  self-respect. 

The  assumed  sanctimonious  face  of  Dixon,  his  good 
figure,  and  well  arranged  suit  of  black,  caused  one  or  two 
of  the  elders  to  look  up  inquiringly  at  his  perch ;  and  at 
one  time,  it  appeared  as  if  he  would  be  invited  to  sit  nearer 
"  the  head  of  the  table,"  an  act  of  courtesy  which  would 
have  given  him  pleasure,  but  which  he  would  most  posi- 
tively have  declined. 

Before  him,  as  in  an  amphitheatre,  were  displayed  the 
favorite  house  servants  of  the  town  of  Colesbiu-g.  The  day 
was  fine,  and  the  exhibition  was  unusually  imposing.  There 
sat  the  negroes,  characterized  by  every  possible  shade  of 
color,  from  the  sooty  black  up  to  the  blueish  white,  and 
possessed  of  every  possible  variety  of  expression  in  their 
faces. 

Some  were  scarcely  able  to  conceal  their  exultation,  as 
they  surveyed  their  gaudily-decked  persons,  while  others, 
unmistakably  alluded  in  no  very  complimentary  terms  to 
Dixon,  as  a  white  man  that  had  "  got  into  the  wrong 
pew." 

In  the  front  row  sat  "  Maria,"  the  only  servant  of 
"  Mr,  Goodall,"  a  likely-looking,  intelligent  girl  of  eighteen 
or  twenty,  plainly  but  tastefully  dressed.  There  was  an 
air  of  contentment  and  intelligence  about  her  face  that  in- 
dicated the  well-raised  domestic.  In  her  hand  she  held  a 
handsomely-bound  volume,  which  she  occasionally  leaned 
over  as  if  desirous  of  learning  its  contents.  Behind  Maria 
were  several  ascending  rows  of  females,  including  every 
variety  of  person  and  age,  also  a  great  number  of  men, 


260  THE    MASTER  S    HOUSE  ; 

mostly  in  the  prime  of  life,  all  looking  fat  and  sleek,  and 
vying  favorably  with  the  white  congregation  in  the  body 
of  the  church,  in  the  fineness  of  their  clothing,  and  atten- 
tion to  the  observances  of  the  day. 

As  Dixon  sat  down,  he  bent  his  body  forward,  as  if 
invoking  a  blessing,  but  he  really  assumed  this  attitude, 
that  he  might  more  satisfactorily  scan  through  his  half  part- 
ed fingers,  the  appearance  of  the  "  property  "  before  him. 

"  I  think,"  he  soliloquized,  after  a  long  professional 
gaze,  regarding  a  venerable-looking  negro,  who  seemed  to 
act  in  the  capacity  of  subordinate  sexton,  "  I  think  that 
that  woolly-headed  old  crow  would  be  all  the  better  for 
having  his  feet  in  the  stocks  a  few  nights,  with  his  shirt 
off,  and  mosquitoes  plenty. 

"  That  *  saddle-colored'  nio-o-er  o-rinnina;  at  me,  'cause  he 
thinks  I  don't  know  where  to  get  the  right  seat  in  church, 
would  be  all  the  better  for  about  '  forty-five,'  well  laid  on, 
and  tarpentined  to  make  'em  stick. 

"  I  believe  that  I  could  get  about  eleven  hundred  dollars 
in  New  Orleans,  for  that  young  fellow  pushing  the  window 
up. 

"  As  for  the  monkey  who  sits  near  him,  his  shoulders 
are  so  narrer  that  he  ain't  worth  his  passage  to  Louisiana," 
and  thus  he  thought  on,  until  his  eyes  glanced  over  the 
lower  seats  occupied  by  the  females. 

"  None  of  'em  has  got  the  light  color  for  real  fancy 
niggers,"  he  almost  groaned,  as  he  discovered  the  fact.  "  I 
should  like  to  have  the  burning  off  of  them  pink  ribbons 
from  the  head  of  that  '  cook,  washer  and  ironer,'  "  he  sug- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIERX    LIFE.  26  I 

gcsted  to  himself,  becoming  indignant  at  the  tasteful  cap 
of  a  middle-afjcd  nefrress. 

"  If  that  gal  in  the  plaid  dress  can  do  plain  sewing,  she 
would  fetch  more  than  if  she  was  sold  for  a  field  hand. 

"  Wonder  how  many  of  'em  is  free  ?  "  he  asked,  almost 
aloud,  his  presence  of  mind  being  for  the  moment  overcome 
at  the  thought  of  such  a  dreadful  supposition. 

"  How  many  is  members  of  this  'ere  church  ? — wonder 
if  Spooney  in  the  pulpit  there  goes  in  for  the  Bible  sanc- 
tioning slavery  ?  Hello,  he's  coming  out  with  a  hyme,  and 
that  girl  with  the  gilt-edged  book  is  a  huntin'  for  the  varse 
— that  nigger  would  scll^''  and  for  the  first  time,  he  took 
a  particular  look  at  "  Mr.  Goodall's  "  Maria. 

''  She  comes  it  strong,"  said  Dixon,  after  listening  a 
while,  and  plainly  distinguishing  her  voice  above  the  whole 
congregation.  "  Why  don't  Southern  churches  buy  singing 
niggers  and  own  their  choirs  ?  "  and  as  the  plausibility  of 
the  thing  struck  his  mind,  he  made  a  memorandum  in 
his  never-to-be-forgotten  book. 

The  services  being  ended,  the  congregation  separated 
into  a  variety  of  streams,  and  distributed  itself  over  the 
town.  Although  Dixon  was  recognized  as  a  stranger,  still 
no  one  had  suspected  his  vocation,  and  he  wandered  down 
the  principal  street  towards  his  hotel,  the  subject  of  much 
innocent  gossip,  the  popular  impression  being,  that  he  was 
in  some  way  connected  with  a  proposed  railroad  that  a 
'•  Northern  company  "  had  projected  in  the  vicinity. 

Dixon,  from  the  information  he  already  had  of  the 
town  and  its  people,  and  from  his  own  examination  at 
church,  had  formed  a  very  good  idea  of  the  "  state  of  the 


262  THE  master's  house; 

market,"  and  determined  to  set  at  once  about  business, 
regardless  of  liis  disguise.  "With  this  resolution  in  his 
mind,  he  saw  coming  toward  him  a  young  man  whom  he 
had  noticed  hanging  about  the  bar  of  the  hotel,  whose  care- 
worn looks  gave  painful  evidence  that  he  was,  from  dissi- 
i^ation,  to  be  a  victim  of  a  premature  grave. 

'*  I  think  that  young  man  might  be  of  service  to  me, 
and  as  he  drinks  hard,  he'll  not  be  over  particular  as  to 
what  he  does,  to  get  a  little  money,  proud  as  he  looks," 
thought  Dixon,  standing  still  on  the  walk,  until  the  person 
alluded  to  came  up. 

"  You'll  excuse  me,  stranger,"  said  Dixon,  the  instant 
he  was  within  speaking  distance,  "  you  will  excuse  me,  if  I 
ask  you  what  time  they  dine  on  Sunday,  at  the  hotel  ?  for, 
I  perceive  you  are  one  of  its  boarders." 

"  I  do  patronize  the  place,"  replied  the  young  man,  in  a 
grandiloquent  manner.  "  I  suffer  myself  to  go  about  the 
premises,  when  I  have  nothing  better  to  do." 

Dixon  perceiving  that  the  gentleman  was  communica- 
tive, dropped  his  query  about  the  dinner,  and  went  on  : — 

"  I  am  a  stranger  in  Colesburg, — came  here  on  a  little 
private  business,  and  should  like  some  information." 

"  I  am  at  leisure  to  answer  any  inquiries,"  said  the 
young  man,  "  but  the  fact  is,  I  am  so  confounded  dry,  that 
I  can't  speak  the  truth." 

"  Walk  back  to  the  hotel,  sir,"  said  Dixon,  "  for  I  have 
good  brandy  in  my  room,  or  we  can  take  some  at  the  bar." 

*'  I  will  take  a  drink,"  returned  the  young  man,  "  though 
I  have  threatened  to  cut  the  concern,  particularly  on  ao- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  263 

count  of  the  bad  liquor  they  keep;  for  if  there  is  any  thing 
I  do  know,  it's  good  brandy." 

It  is  needless  to  say,  that '  Mr.  Mercer  '  (for  that  was 
the  gentleman's  name)  and  Dixon  were  soon  apparently 
good  friends.  There  was  a  time  in  the  young  man's  his- 
tory, when  he  was  known  as  the  proudest  and  most  accom- 
plished scion  of  a  stock,  historically  celebrated  for  virtue 
and  independence  ;  but  the  living  representative  had  squan- 
dered his  fortune,  ruined  his  health,  tarnished  his  fame; 
was,  in  fact,  a  mere  wreck  of  his  former  self.  The  oppor- 
tunity of  living  off  of  any  one,  even  for  a  day,  was  a  rare 
privilege  to  Mercer,  and  he  was  prepared  on  the  instant  to 
do  any  thing  to  render  himself  agreeable  or  useful. 

At  dinner,  Mercer,  as  Dixon's  guest,  drank  deeply,  but 
it  was  evident  that  drinking,  with  the  trader,  was  more  a 
form  than  a  reality,  for  he  never  clouded  his  reason  when 
he  had  any  thing  of  importance  to  do. 

The  secret  leaked  out  at  the  table,  however,  that  Dixon 
was  a  "  negro  trader,"  and  there  was  passed  among  the 
people  present  indignant  looks,  that  a  person  of  such  a  busi- 
ness, would  presume  to  so  publicly  offend  those  present 
with  his  society. 

Dixon  felt,  the  instant  his  business  was  known,  that  the 
ban  of  proscription  was  openly  put  upon  him,  and  it  seem- 
ed that  he  enjoyed  the  bitterness  of  spirit  that  this  con- 
sciousness called  up,  for  he  assumed  a  confident,  a  defiant 
air,  and  made  Mercer's  follies  the  medium  through  which 
he  exhibited  his  dislike  to  those  about  him. 

Dinner  over,  Dixon  led  Mercer  to  his  room,  and  helping 
him  to  a  chair,  sat  down  himself,  to  carry  out  his  original 


264  THE  master's  house  ; 

purpose  of  finding  out  all  he  could  of  the  people  he  had 
to  deal  with. 

"Your  citizens  don't  like  nigger-traders  much,"  said 
he,  looking  over  some  due-hills,  taken  from  his  well-worn 
pocket-book. 

"  Don't  like  'em  at  the  dinner-table  or  in  the  public 
streets,"  said  the  young  man,  with  a  sneer. 

"  There  wouldn't  be  any  traders,"  said  Dixon,  with 
more  than  usual  seriousness,  "  if  there  were  no  buyers  and 
sellers,  and  the  devil  don't  make  nice  distinctions  when  he 
ever  gets  his  own,  that's  one  comfort." 

"  This  world  is  a  perfect  infernal  humbug,  and  about 
as  full  of  hj^^ocrites  as  it  is  of  human  beings,"  returned 
Mercer,  "for  you  see  the  very  people  that  have  sold  me 
the  most  bad  liquor  at  the  highest  price  make  it  a  point 
to  be  the  most  busy  in  denouncing  what  they  call  my  in- 
temperate habits," 

"  Exactly,"  said  Dixon,  fully  comprehending  Mercer's 
meaning,  "  but  about  these  people  in  Colesburg — can  I  buy 
a  few  choice  servants  in  the  neighborhood,  think  you  ?  will 
the  people  sell — are  they  hard  up,  or  any  thing  of  that 
sort?" 

"  As  for  the  servants,"  replied  Mercer,  that's  doubtful, 
"for  the  community  has  been  pretty  well  culled — as  for 
the  '  hard  up,'  there's  jilenty  of  that,  for,"  continued  the 
young  man,  laughing  at  his  own  conceit — "  if  there  was  a 
nigger  to  represent  all  the  money  that  is  wanted  in  Coles- 
burg, Africa  would  be  depopulated  to  supply  the  demand." 
"  But  I  don't  want  many,"  said  Dixon,  mechanically 
eyeing  his  memorandum  book,  "  only  five  or  six,  but  they 


A    TALK    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  265 

must  be  tip-top, — no  field  hands, — highest  style,  first  family 
niggers." 

'■'■  A  year  or  two  ago,"  said  Mercer,  "  you  could  have 
been  suited  to  a  T ;  there  were  the  remains  here  at  that 
time,  of  some  of  the  very  best  estates,  and  towards  the 
winding  up  of  them,  some  men  and  women  got  into  the 
markets,  that  were  better  people,  according  to  my  notion, 
than  the  Yankees  that  have  moved  into  the  places  their 
masters  occupied.  " 

''  Better  to  work?"  said  Dixon,  with  a  comical  twinkle 
of  the  eye. 

"  No,  not  better  to  work,  God  knows,"  returned  the 
young  man,  with  emphasis,  "  but  better  Virginians — why, 
sir,"  continued  Mercer,  warming  up,  "  there's  the  place  on 
the  upper  road  once  known  as  Carlton,  I  think  old  Gen. 
Annesley  had  fifty  hands  on  it,  and  the  estate  wouldn't 
pay  expenses ;  a  fellow  from  Connecticut  bought  the  land, 
at  the  sheriff's  sale,  divided  it  up  into  small  farms,  sold 
out  enough  to  get  the  family  mansion,  and  all  the  ground 
he  wants,  for  nothing,  and  it  is  said  he  is  getting  rich." 

"  What  a  sweet  place  Virginia  will  be,"  suggested 
Dixon,  "when  such  frcc-silers  come  along  and  crowd  out 
all  your  best  people." 

"  Tiey  are  doing  it,  though,"  said  Mercer,  sorrowfully, 
"  doing  it  every  day — the  old-times  spirit  is  gone — no  more 
card  parties,  no  more  races,  no  more  cockfighting,  no  more 
balls,  no  more  patriotisui, — every  thing  is  dull,  chivalry  and 
State  ])ridc  have  departed." 

"  It's  all  owing  to  the  Union,"  said  Dixon,  emphatically. 
"It's  the  Union,  Mr.  Mercer,  that  does  the  injury;  and  it 
12 


266  THE  master's  house; 

will  continue  to  do  so,  as  long  as  we  allow  the  North  to 
interfere  with  our  rights ;  unless  that's  stopped,  we  must  go 
to  the  dogs." 

"  I  think  I  had  better  leave  the  State,"  said  Mercer, 
after  some  hesitation,  "  and  I  want  to  ask  you,  Mr.  Dixon, 
what  you  think  of  my  going  down  South  ?  " 

As  Dixon  was  really  interested  in  this  young  man, 
he  gave  him  his  ideas  elaborately,  and  answered  every  suc- 
cessive question  to  the  best  of  his  ability.  In  conclusion 
of  his  remarks,  that  gentleman  said : 

"  On  going  down  the  Mississippi  every  thing  depends 
on  how  you  start.  If  you  can  flare  up,  and  make  a  figure, 
you'll  do — ^but  if  you  just  go  quietly  to  work  at  some  honest 
business,  selling  niggers  or  dry  goods,  or  teaching  a  school, 
or  getting  up  railroads,  the  people  will  set  you  down  as 
lacking  spirit.  The  very  best  way  is  to  get  up  a  duel  and 
kill  somebody,  but  if  you  can't  do  that,  there's  other  open- 
ings 'most  as  good;  credit — if  rode  fast  and  made  a  short 
heat  of,  will  carry  a  fellow  through  until  he  can  marry 
rich,  or  something  of  that  sort — ^but  every  thing  depends 
on  the  way  you  cavort  around — talk  about  State  rights,  and 
Southern  independence — next  to  hard  cash,  splurging  will 
set  you  ahead,  and,"  concluded  Dixon,  in  a  semi-paternal 
manner,  "  what  I  have  seen  of  you,  Mr.  Mercer,  satisfies  me 
that  you'll  do." 


A    TALE    OF   SOUTIIEUN    LIFE.  267 


CHAPTER  XXIIL 

dixok's  unexpected  success. 

The  news  of  Dixon's  business  purposes  spread  through 
Colesburg  like  wildfire.  There  was  a  secret  pleasure,  as 
well  as  absolute  pain,  imparted  by  it  to  a  few  who  were 
desirous  of  selling ;  but  among  the  negroes  there  was  pro- 
duced a  consternation,  such  as  might  be  supposed  to  exist 
in  a  crowded  hospital  of  wounded  men,  where  a  bombshell 
had  fallen  through  the  roof,  and  was,  before  their  very 
eyes,  preparing  to  explode. 

That  telegi-aphic  power  of  communication,  so  peculiar 
to  the  negro,  throbbed  the  fact  through  their  humble 
apartments,  and  their  agitated  hearts  ;  that  the  white  man 
so  distinguished  by  his  lonely  appearance  in  the  church 
gallery  in  the  morning,  was  a  negro  trader;  and  they 
trembled  with  consternation  when  they  remembered,  that 
he  eyed  them  with  earnestness,  and  had  already  decided 
which  among  their  number  he  would  buj-. 

Through  Mercer's  indefatigable  exertions,  Dixon  was 
early  informed  of  a  "bargain"  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Colesburg;   and  in  company  with  his  coadjutor,   Dixon 


2G8  THE  master's  housb  ; 

went  into  the  country,  and  found  inducements  sufficient  to 
remain  away  all  day.  In  fact,  it  was  long  after  dark 
before  he  arrived  at  his  hotel ;  and  after  eating  a  light 
supper,  he  went  at  once  to  his  room. 

Of  late  Dixon  had  become  daily  more  and  more  sensi- 
tive about  the  character  of  his  pursuits ;  he  was  accumu- 
lating, almost  to  his  own  surprise,  a  great  deal  of  wealth, 
and  with  it  came  the  desire  to  be  personally  respected. 
He  had  perceived  the  marked  difference  of  the  people  of 
Colesburg  toward  him,  when  they  considered  him  a  rail- 
road contractor  (an  occupation,  by  the  way,  Dixon  looked 
upon  with  disgust)  and  a  "  negro  trader  ;  "  and  he  felt  his 
business,  except  for  its  great  profits,  to  be  more  and  more 
distasteful  to  him. 

Disposing  of  himself  in  a  comfortable  manner  in  hia 
room,  he  threw  his  feet  into  the  window-sill,  and,  according 
to  his  wont,  cogitated  aloud  : 

"  I've  made  enough  to  quit  this  business,  if  I  choose  ; 
and  I'm  tired  of  doing  other  people's  dirty  work  for  them. 
If  buying  niggers  ain't  respectable,  let  poor  folks  attend 
to  trading ;  I  think  that  I'll  go  home,  turn  planter,  and 
put  on  airs  myself.  I  ain't  going  to  help  make  money  for 
people  who  are  afraid  to  speak  to  me  in  the  streets,  or  to 
be  seen  eating  with  me  at  their  tables :  I'll  wind  up,  and 
quit  merchandising  this  winter  coming,  I  reckon " 

Just  at  this  moment  a  gentle  tap  was  heard  at  Dix- 
on's door,  and  without  turning  liis  head  around,  he  said, 
"  Come  in." 

One  of  the  servants  of  the  liotcl,  who  bad  heretofore 
called,  Dixon   to   his  face    "Boss"  and    "Mister,"   and 


A    TALK    OF    SOUTIIEU>f    LIFE.  269 

given  other  signs  of  being  contaminated,  as  Dixon  said, 
by  his  intercourse  with  "  Northern  society,"  now  stood  in 
the  room  in  a  humble  attitude,  calling  attention  by  the 
simple,  but  expressive  term  of  "  Master." 

So  altered  was  the  negro's  manner,  that  Dixon  did  not, 
by  the  ear,  recognize  the  boy ;  and  turning  around  to  see 
who  it  was,  could  not  conceal  his  surprise,  when  he  dis- 
covered the  familiar  face  of  "  Sandy  Bill," — for  such  was 
the  negro's  name. 

"  And  what  do  you  want  ? "  said  Dixon,  now  for  the 
first  time  resuming  his  natural  manner,  and  by  its  air 
of  authority,  sending  a  chill  to  Sandy  Bill's  very  mar- 
row and  bones. 

"  The  notes,  sir,"  said  the  negro,  pointing  to  several 
handsome  envelopes  on  the  mantel-piece,  that  had  escaped 
Dixon's  attention, 

"  Letters  to  me  ! "  murmured  Dixon,  as  he  raised  them 
up,  one  by  one,  and  read  the  superscrijDtion,  "J-a-m-e-s 
D-i-s-o-n,  E-s-q.,  P-r-e-s-e-n-t." 

"  What  does  this  mean,  boy  ?  "  said  he,  giving  the  negro 
a  look,  that  seemed  to  say,  "  I'll  thrash  your  hide  ofi",  if 
jou  don't  instantly  explain  this  mystery  ! " 

"  I  don't  know,  master,"  said  Sandy  Bill,  his  knees 
fairly  shaking  mth  fear.  "I  don't  know,  master;  dem 
thar  letters  cum  when  you  was  gone  into  the  country." 

"  Well,  take  that  for  your  stupidity,  and  toddle  down 
stairs,"  said  Dixon,  throwing  a  piece  of  silver  at  the  boy's 
head. 

"  What  does  this  mean?"  soliloquized  Dixon,  break- 
ing one  of  the  seals.     "  Who's  been  writinof  me  love  let- 


270  THE  master's  house; 

ters,  I  should  like  to  know ?     What's  this?"  and  he  read 
as  follows  : — 

Mr.  J.  Dixon,  Jefferson  Hotel. 

Dear  Sin, — I  understand  you  desire  to  purchase  some 

valuable  house  servants.     I  have  one  or  two  that  I  would 

part  with,  if  the  trade  could  be  made  privately,  and  treated 

by  you  as  confidential.     I  will  be  at  the  cross  roads,  near 

the  old  brick  kiln,  precisely  at  five  o'clock,  where  we  can 

hold  conversation  unobserved. 

Yours  respectfully, 

Brutus, 

Dixon  laid  the  note  upon  the  table,  and  walked  up 
and  down  the  room,  perfectly  furious.  The  Idea  of  being 
forced  to  trade  thus,  by  stealth,  made  even  his  ears  tingle 
with  shame,  and  the  idea  was  forced  upon  his  mind  at  the 
very  moment  when  he  was  in  the  least  humor  to  bear  it. 

Taking  up  another  note,  he  broke  open  the  seal,  with 
an  expression  of  face  that  implied  there  was  something 
offensive  to  be  unloosed  by  the  act,  and  read  : — 

CoLESBURGj  Va.,  Jullj ,  . 

Dear  Sir, — I  have  been  informed  that  you  wish  to 
purchase  a  few  first  class  house-servants ;  I  have  two  that 
I  would  part  with,  for  less  than  their  real  value,  if  you  can 
manage  to  get  them  in  your  possession,  without  giving 
their  owners  the  pain  of  going  through  the  separation. 
They  have  been  carefully  raised,  and  would  not  be  sold,  if 
their  owners  were  not  conscientiously  impressed  that  their 
condition  would  not  be  improved,  if  they  were  set  free.  I 
shall  be  at  your  hotel  at  eleven  o'clock  to-day,  and  shall 


A    TALE    OF   SOUTHERN    LIFE.  271 

proceed  at  once  to  your  room,  to  avoid  the  suspicion  among 
the  neighbors,  that  I  am  contemplating  selling.  You  will 
consider  our  communications  in  honor,  and  trust  they  will 
be  so  treated. 

With  great  respect, 

Yours, 

YORKTOWN. 

J.  Dixon.  Esq.,  of  New  Orleans. 

"  This  fellow,"  said  Dixon,  getting  calm  through  very 
indignation,  "  wants  me  to  buy  his  live  stock,  and  then 
kidnap  it  into  the  bargain.  I  don't  believe  in  kidnapping, 
unless  it  be  to  catch  an  abolitionist,  but  I'll  accommodate 
this  Mr.  Yorktown,  and  make  him  pay  me  well  for  the 
trouble — let's  see  what  the  next  gentleman  has  to  say." 

[iVo  date.'] 
Mister  Dixon. 

SuR, — I've  got  an  old  negro  woman  as  wants  to  be  sold, 
and  go  to  Mobeel,  in  the  State  of  Mississip'.  I  wouldn't 
sell  her,  if  she  didn't  want  to  go  down  to  that  South  coun- 
try to  see  her  children,  as  is  owned  by  Mister  Brownlaw, 
who,  when  he  tuck  the  children,  was  to  buy  the  old  ooman, 
but  didn't  have  the  money,  an  hasn't  sent  for  her  'cordin' 
to  contract.  I  will  sel  her  for  two  hundred  and  fifty,  and 
I  think  Brownlaw  will  give  you  four  hundred  on  his  place, 
as  her  son  is  a  carpenter,  and  I'm  told  he  thinks  a  heap 
of  him,  as  he  can  earn  five  dollars  a  day,  making  bridges 
on  the  rale  rode.  Please  say  nothing  about  this,  and  drop 
in  at  my  house  in  the  evening,  when  nobody  is  about,  on 
the  Sandy-hill  road,  fur  miles  from  Colesburg,  near  the 


272  THE  master's  house  ; 

ruins  of  the  old  church,  with  a  sign  over  the  door,  with 
my  name  painted  on  it. 

John  Howe. 

"  I  remember  Howe's  sign,  come  to  think  of  it ! "  said 
Dixon,  holding  the  letter  between  his  thumb  and  forefin- 
ger, as  if  it  were  a  snake  ;  "  I  remember  his  sign,'  <  John 
Howe's  grocery  ,•  wholesale  and  retail ;  cash  paid  for  tobacco 
and  wheat ; '  Mercer  stopped  there,  last  evening,  to  get  a 
drink, — and  take  out  the  barrel  of  whiskey,  and  an  old 
tumbler,  and  the  shop  would  be  empty, — bet  a  hundred  to 
one  that  that  old  woman  is  free,  and  Mr.  Howe  wants  to 
sell  me !  but  he  don't ! "  and  Dixon  took  up  the  fourth 
and  last  letter,  and  sitting  down  near  the  window,  his  ill- 
nature  having  evaporated,  in  the  multitude  of  his  other 
emotions,  he  read  as  follows  : 

CoLESBURG.  Va.,  July  — , , 

Mr.  Dixon. 

Dear  Sir, — I  understood  last  evening,  after  church 
was  out,  that  you  had  come  on  here  to  obtain  a  few  choice 
servants.  I  have  long  since  been  forced  to  the  conclusion, 
that  slavery  is  a  moral  evil,  and  I  have  rejoiced  that  I 
have  parted  with  the  few  I  have  owned,  to  humane  mas- 
ters, which  is  a  great  relief  to  me,  in  my  hours  of  serious 
reflection.  I  have  one  girl  that  has  been  carefully  brought 
up,  and  we  are  much  attached  to  her,  but  I  am  somewhat 
advanced  in  years,  as  well  as  her  mistress,  and  we  cannot 
tell  at  what  time  she  may,  in  the  course  of  Providence,  be 
thrown  without  a  protector,  upon  the  wide,  wicked  world. 
I  had  determined  not  to  sell  her,  but  seeing  you  in  church 
the  other  day,  I  have  become  deeply  impressed  that  you 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIEHN    LIFK.  273 

are  a  pious  man,  and  as  such,  would  deal  justly  with  the 
girl.  I  have  also  reflected,  that  whatever  may  be  my 
sense  of  duty,  the  excitement  at  the  North  has  been  so 
great,  that  it  makes  it  perfectly  impossible  for  me  to  carry 
out  my  original  intention,  of  setting  the  girl  free,  as  I 
cannot  conceive  a  more  dreadful  condition,  than  for  a  once 
comfortably  clothed  and  well  taken  care  of  negro  slave,  to 
be  thrown  upon  the  tender  mercies  of  the  uncharitable 
world,  and  be  left,  as  are  the  poor  white  laborers  of  the 
free  States,  to  starve,  and  die  a  miserable  death.  It 
would  be  difficult  to  get  the  girl's  consent  to  be  sold,  and 
therefore  this  matter  must  be  delicately  arranged ;  she 
will  no  doubt,  at  first,  be  much  grieved,  but  we  must  judge 
what  is  best  for  her  welfare,  ourselves,  for  we  know  how  to 
provide  for  her  real  good.  The  girl  is  nearly  nineteen  years 
of  age.  Addre.'-s  "  Humanity,"  through  the  post-office, 
and  say  where  a  strictly  private  interview  may  be  had.  Of 
course  this  communication  will  be  considered  confidential. 
I  trust  I  may  sign  myself,  in  the  bonds  of  brotherly  love, 

Yoiu's, 

Humanity. 

"  This  one  is  coming  it  rather  strong  ! "  said  Dixon, 
taking  out  his  memorandum  book,  and  copying  the  address 
and  business  particulars,  and  tearing  the  letters  up  with 
infinite  satisfaction,  and  tremendous  "vim"  he  scattered  the 
pieces  on  the  floor,  and  trampled  them  under  his  feet. 

By  the  tiiae  he  had  become  really  cool,  Mercer  came 
in,  and  full  of  excitement,  informed  Dixou  "  that  he  had 
got  on  the  track  of  a  '  fancy  girl,'  that  he  thought  would 
12* 


274  THE  master's  house  ; 

suit  his  wishes  exactly.  I  have  heard  this  girl  spoken  of, 
I  presume,"  continued  Mercer ;  "  if  it  is  the  one  I  allude 
to,  she  is  described  as  being  so  near  white,  that  she  got 
into  one  of  the  village  schools,  for  near  two  quarters,  with- 
out it  being  satisfactorily  shown  that  she  was  a  negro." 

"  Something  of  that  kind  would  really  be  a  haul," 
said  Dixon,  and  taking  out  his  indispensable  memorandum 
book,  he  unfolded  a  page  that  had  been  turned  down,  as  if 
to  mark  a  particular  place,  and  asked  Mercer,  "  how  white 
this  girl  was  represented  to  be?" 

"If  it  is  the  one  I  have  heard  spoken  of,  she  has  blue 
eyes,  and  hair  not  at  all  like  a  negro's,  but  on  the  con- 
trary, straight,  and  of  auburn  color.  She  was  raised  by 
old  Jared  Cumings,  and  his  own  daughters  were  the  hand- 
somest girls,  two  years  ago,  at  the  White  Sulphur  Springs." 

"  The  eyes  and  hair  will  do,"  said  Dixon,  looking  in 
the  memorandum  book,  and  again  turning  down  the  leaf; 
"  but  one  thing  I  am  afraid  of!  In  New  Orleans  the  qua- 
droons are  generally  delicate,  their  faces  are  not  handsome, 
but  their  extremities  are  a  fortune ;  some  how  another, 
the  same  cross  in  Virginia,  with  even  less  negro  than  a 
fourth  in  them,  have  big  feet  and  hands.  What's  the  rea- 
son of  that?" 

"  I  can't  say,"  said  Mercer !  speculatingly,  "  some  fault 
on  the  mother's  side,  of  course.  I  once  heard  old  Gordy 
Moncton  say,  that  if  a  slave  could  be  bred,  so  as  to  re- 
tain the  color  and  good  points  of  the  white,  and  only  have 
taint  in  the  blood  enough  to  secure  ownership,  that  ten 
times  more  money  could  be  made  at  the  business,  than  by 
raising  any  blooded  stock  whatever." 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  275 

"  I  think  it's  likely,"  said  Dixon,  "  though  the  market 
isn't  large  for  these  beauties,  and  it  might  be  overstocked. 
— Do  you  know  a  man  living  in  this  town  by  the  name  of 
Goodall?"  continued  Dixon,  abruptly  changing  the  sub- 
ject. 

"  Very  well  indeed,"  said  Mercer,  "  that  is  to  say,  I 
know  there  is  such  a  man  in  this  place,  but  he  is  of  a 
very  common  family,  and  I  never  made  his  acquaintance." 
"  Has  he  got  any  niggers  to  sell?  that's  all  I  want  to 
know,"  said  Dixon  pettishly,  for  he  hated  to  hear  any  one 
talk  about  "  family," 

"  One  girl,"  said  Mercer,  "  named  Maria;  she  sings  in 
church  I'm  told,  but  you  can't  buy  her." 

"  And  why  can't  I  buy  her  ?  Tell  me  that  Mr.  Mercer," 
said  Dixon  abruptly. 

"  Simply  because  her  master  has  promised  to  set  her 
free,"  said  the  young  man,  with  some  concealed  astonish- 
ment at  the  trader's  imperative  manner. 

"  I've  seen  her,"  continued  Dixon.  "  I  looked  at  her  well 
last  Sunday ;  she  would  be  worth  to  me,  in  "Washington, 
five  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  I  know  a  family  that  would 
give  a  premium  for  just  such  a  girl." 

"Pity  old  Goodall  wouldn't  sell  her,"  said  Mercer; 
"  she's  no  use  to  him;  but  I  don't  see  how  it  could  be  man- 
aged, her  mistress  treats  her  about  as  well  as  she  does  her 
equals." 

"  Them's  the  very  kind  of  cases  I  like  to  get  hold  of, 
there's  somethincr  aOTceable  in  taking;  a  bad  edioation  out 
of  a  darkie.  I  bought  a  pet  boy  once,  who  refused  to  work, 
and  I  whipped  liim  until  I  got  tired,  and  he  wouldn't  give 


276  THE  master's  house; 

up, — so  I  took  him  along  at  rigler  intervals,  and  the  more 
he  wouldn't  give  in,  the  more  I  liked  him,  and  if  he  had 
held  out  another  day,  he  should  have  had  his  freedom ;  he 
was  the  best  piece  of  spunk  I  ever  met  with,  a  perfect 
Indian." 

"  And  what  became  of  him  at  last?"  asked  Mercer  with 
some  curiosity. 

"  Why,  I  sold  him  to  somebody  that  had  an  overseer 
that  didn't  know  how  to  manage  him,  the  consequence  was, 
the  nigger  resisted — ^knocked  the  overseer  down — and  then 
jumped  into  the  river.  It  was  just  like  throwing  a  thousand 
dollars  in  gold  overboard,  when  that  darkie  went  down," 
and  Dixon  yawned,  and  Mercer,  taking  the  hint,  left  the 
trader's  presence,  promising  to  be  at  the  "  Jefferson  Hotel " 
with  a  buggy,  early  in  the  morning. 

Three  days  after  the  above  conversation,  at  the  dead 
hour  of  night,  Dixon  by  special  appointment  met  on  the 
suburbs  of  Colesburg  two  heavily  armed  men,  sitting  in  a 
strong  country  wagon,  to  which  was  attached  a  fleet  span 
of  horses.  Dixon  handed  them  a  bundle,  which  being  thrown 
at  the  bottom  of  the  wagon,  sounded  as  if  it  contained 
pieces  of  iron.  He  then  entered  into  a  hurried  conversa- 
tion, stated  his  wish  to  take  the  four  o'clock  morning  train 
for  Washington,  and  that  there  was  only  three  hours  left 
for  their  work ;  and  as  the  man  who  held  the  reins  was 
gathering  them  up  preparatory  for  departure,  Dixon,  as  a 
last  suggestion,  said : 

"  Get  the  niggers  out  of  town  as  quietly  as  possible  . 
don't  do  any  thing  to  bruise  then-  skins,  or  othervj-ise  dis- 
figure them,  they  are  all  house  servants — if  they  kick  up 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  277 

any  fuss,  gag  'em, — if  they  attempt  to  break  away,  use  them 
articles  at  the  bottom  of  the  wagon, — go  to  that  old  hypo- 
crite, Goodall's,  last,  and  you  needn't  be  very  particular  at 
his  house  about  the  noise  you  make,  as  you  are  taking 
away  7712/  property — now  be  quick,  and  earn  your  money." 


278  THE  master's  house; 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

ABSTRACTIONS     AND     REALITIES. 

As  Mr.  Moreton  was  one  day  returning  home  from  Beech- 
land,  as  was  sometimes  his  wont,  he  dropped  in  at  Heri- 
tage Place.  Mr.  Moreton  had  always  seemed  to  take  great 
pleasure  in  giving  the  young  planter  the  benefits  of  his 
varied  experience,  and  as  every  hint  thus  received,  was 
cordially  acted  upon  by  Mildmay,  it  served  to  secure 
him  an  interest  in  Mr.  Moreton's  mind,  that  was  not  called 
forth  by  the  moi'^  ordinary  manner  of  corresponding  sym- 
pathies ;  for  it  was  a  fact,  that  the  two  gentlemen  seldom 
met  and  discussed  matters  of  great  import,  that  they  did 
not  decidedly  disagree. 

Mr.  Moreton's  business  to  Beechland  was  to  find  out, 
if  possible,  who  had  sold  liquor  to  some  of  his  negroes,  but 
it  was  as  usual  a  fruitless  task,  because,  although  the  evi- 
dence was  perfectly  satisfactory  to  every  one,  yet  restrag 
upon  negro  testimony  alone,  it  was  of  no  legal  value. 
Mr.  Moreton,  after  stating  the  facts,  gave  vent  to  a  great 
deal  of  denunciation  upon  the  laws,  and  upon  the  violators 
of  his  rights,  and  "  destroyers  of  his  property." 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFK.  279 

"  How  can  this  evil  be  remedied?"  inquired  Midmay. 
"  I  have  noticed,  even  in  the  short  time  I  have  resided 
here,  that  in  spite  of  the  prohibitions  against  selling  ardent 
spirits  to  slaves,  that  '  low  groggeries'  arc  increasing  in 
Beechland,  and  the  rapid  demoralization  of  our  servants 
is  the  consequence.  I  feel  the  evil  daily,  and  something 
should  be  done,  if  possible,  to  remedy  it ;  for  I  dare  not 
now  send  old  Dan  to  the  village,  for  he  invariably  gets 
intoxicated,  and  but  for  the  sagacity  of  his  team  in  finding 
its  way  home,  I  know  not  what  might  become  of  him." 

"So  it  is,"  said  Moreton  pettishly, — "so  it  is;  these 
miserable  wretches  who  hang  about  our  towns,  take  advan- 
tage of  our  laws,  and  their  white  skins,  to  prey  upon  us, 
excite  our  servants  to  steal,  spoil  their  manners,  and  de- 
stroy all  discipline." 

"It  is  evidently  one  of  the  defects  of  the  institution," 
said  Mildmay  in  a  moralizing  tone,  "  an  evil  growing  out 
of  the  fact,  that  the  negro  cannot  bear  testimony  against 
these  traffickers  in  good  morals." 

"  Exactly  so,"  was  the  reply;  "  a  law  proper  enough  in 
most  cases,  is  taken  advantage  of  to  our  serious  injury. 
Slavery,"  continued  the  speaker,  "is,  after  all,  an  aristo- 
cratic institution,  and  it  is  inimical  to  its  perpetuity  to 
give  the  poor  white  man  political,  or  even  legal,  equality. 
The  planter,  to  secure  perfect  peace,  ought  to  have  the 
power  to  arrest  and  punish  these  miserable  vagrants ;  put 
them  in  the  stocks,  and  order  them  out  of  the  community, 
or  hang  them  to  the  nearest  tree." 

"I  fear,"  said   Mildmay,  "that  under  a  government 


280  THE  master's  house  ; 

where  all  white  men  are  theoretically  free  and  equal,  we 
planters  can  never  arrogate  such  power." 

"  The  idea  of  men  being  free  and  equal  is  a  humbug, 
Mr.  Mildmay ;  and  I  trust  you  will  pardon  me  for  saying 
so,  because  the  longer  I  live,  the  more  plainly  I  see  the 
absurdity  of  such  a  proposition." 

"  Yet  I  must  still  indulge  the  idea  that  such  is  the 
fact,"  continued  Mildmay,  with  the  enthusiasm  of  youth  ; 
"because  I  have  hope,  that  our  Republican  institutions 
will  yet  clearly  prove  the  assertion  of  equality  to  be  true." 

"  Then,"  said  Mr.  Moreton,  who  was  now  thoroughly 
excited  by  his  supposititious  wrongs,  and  who  was  rarely 
differed  with  in  the  expression  of  any  opinion — "  then  we 
must  abandon  our  '  Southern  rights '  to  the  mercy  of  peo- 
ple who  have  no  interest  in  their  conservation." 

"How  so?"  said  Mildmay,  with  evident  surprise  at 
the  proposition. 

"  Why,"  said  Mr.  Moreton,  with  earnestness,  "  look  at 
this  selling  of  liquor  to  our  negroes.  The  laws  against 
such  trafl&c  are  as  severe  as  the  English  language  can 
make  them,  and  yet  they  are  but  dead  letters  on  our 
statute  books,  because  the  enforcement  of  these  laws  is  in 
the  hands  of  the  very  men  who  violate  them.  I  know 
that  every  grog-shop  keeper  iu  Beechland  sells  liquor  to 
negroes,  and  there  are  men,  otherwise  respectable,  who 
make  a  living  by  this  cursed  business. 

"  Two  years  before  you  came  to  our  neighborhood, 
myself,  with  one  or  two  others  interested,  hired  a  cunning 
fellow  to  disguise  himself  as  a  negro  (and  he  was  an  excel- 
lent counterfeit)  for  the  sole  purpose  of  catching  a  notorious 


A    TALK    OF    SOUTHKIiX    LIFE.  281 

scamp  in  the  act  of  selling  whiskey  to  slaves.  The  ruse 
succeeded  ;  the  fellow  managed  things  so  adroitly,  that  he 
spent  an  evening  in  the  groggery,  and  found  that  a  whole- 
sale trade  was  carried  on  by  this  vampire,  with  negroes 
belonging  to  every  plantation  in  the  vicinity ;  that  there 
was  a  regular  organized  system  of  conveying  to  his  den, 
from  miles  around,  pieces  of  machinery,  corn,  cotton,  pigs, 
silver  spoons,  chickens,  eggs,  and  what  not,  that  could  be 
easily  carried  away. 

Upon  this  disguised  fellow's  testimony,  we  found  the 
groggery  filled  with  articles  recognized  as  stolen, — got  the 
thief  regularly  indicted  by  the  grand  jury,  and  brought  to 
trial ;  and  what,  Mr.  Mildmay,  do  you  suppose  was  the 
result  ?  " 

"  Why,  he  was  convicted  of  his  crimes,  and  made  an 
example  of,  inside  of  the  walls  of  the  penitentiary,"  was 
the  confident  answer. 

*'  No,  sir ! "  said  Mr.  Moreton — "  no,  sir  !  quite  the 
contrary.  Why,  sir,  the  groggery  keepers  of  Beechland 
conspired  together,  and  ran  our  witness  oflF,  or  murdered 
him, — I  don't  know  which  ;  and  they  next  turned  in,  and 
whipped  my  negroes,  and  those  of  the  planters,  inter- 
ested with  me  in  the  prosecution ;  whipped  them,  sir,  and 
imprisoned  them  on  foolish  pretences, — and  pursued  us, 
imtil  we  were  glad  to  compromise  by  letting  the  matter 
drop.  No,  Mr.  Mildmay  !  we  have  not  sufficient  power  to 
protect  our  rights  against  these  irresponsible  poor  whites, 
who  infest  our  Southern  towns, — places  that  are,  of  a 
truth,  the  cankering  sores  of  our  community," 

"  Certainly  Beechland  is  not  attractive,"  replied  Mild- 


282  THE  master's  house; 

may ;  "  and  it  would  appear,  from  what  I  have  seen,  that 
many  of  our  planters  consider  when  within  its  precincts, 
that  there  is  no  necessity  for  self-restraint." 

"  Such  is  really  the  fact,"  said  Mr.  Moreton ;  "  if  a 
man  wants  to  gamble,  get  drunk,  run  a  race^  or  do  any 
thing  objectionable,  he  goes  to  Beechland,  and  always 
finds  kindred  spirits  to  encourage  him  on  :  these  towns, 
sir,  if  it  were  possible,  should  be  abolished, — the  houses 
razed  to  the  ground,  and  their  streets  turned  into  a  cot- 
ton farm,  or  a  potato-patch." 

"  I  must  there  differ  with  you,"  said  Mildmay,  half 
jocosely;  "I  should  like  to  see  our  Southern  villages 
flourish." 

"And  how  could  such  pestiferous  places  flourish?" 
asked  Mr.  Moreton,  with  some  curiosity. 

"  Why,  most  easily  Let  us  encourage  home  indus- 
try ;  let  us  take  by  the  hand  the  poor,  but  nevertheless, 
respectable  mechanic,  and  induce  him  to  settle  among  us. 
Let  us  endeavor,  even  at  an  apparent  advance  of  cost,  to 
patronize  our  own  workshops,  and  we  might  in  that  way 
become  gradually  independent.  I  hear  too  much  talk 
here,  Mr.  Moreton,  about  separation  from  the  North ;  if 
such  a  thing  were  desirable,  at  present  it  is  an  utter  im- 
possibility. I  heard  a  stump  speech  at  om*  last  election, 
made  up  of  denunciations  of  the  free  States ;  and  the 
speaker,  his  opponent,  proved,  in  reply,  that  the  Southern 
rights  gentleman  came  upon  the  ground  riding  a  horse 
raised  in  Kentucky, — the  bridle  and  blanket  were  from 
Massachusetts  ;  the  gentleman's  hat  and  boots  were  from 
New  Jersey ;  his  linen  from  Norwalk — his  coat,  vest,  and 


I 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  283 

pantaloons,  from  New  Haven, — "both  towns  in  Connecti- 
cut :  he  made  his  quotations  in  favor  of  Southern  inde- 
pendence from  a  paper  published  in  Boston,  and  quoted 
from  books  printed  in  New  York.  Where  was  the  gentle- 
man's independence,  if  he  was  thus  beholden  to  people 
abroad  for  every  necessary  of  life  ?" 

Mr.  Morcton  moved  restlessly  on  his  chair  at  these 
statements,  and  after  a  moment's  hesitation,  replied : 

"  What  are  the  people  of  the  North  good  for,  but  to 
be  our  clothiers  and  laborers  ?  " 

"  Grood  for  nothing  else,  I  suppose,"  said  Mildmay, 
biting  his  under  lip  ;  "  but,"  he  continued,  with  some  feel- 
ing, "  Mr.  Moreton,  do  not  let  us,  who  should  set  an  ex- 
ample, encourage  such  false  ideas  of  political  economy  as 
are  inculcated  in  the  hue  and  cry  of  '  Southern  independ- 
ence,' when  we  are,  by  our  practical  refusal  to  diversify 
our  interests,  so  entirely  unprepared  for  going  alone." 

"  Are  we  not  independent?"  said  Mr.  Moreton,  exces- 
sively annoyed ;  "  does  not  the  South  furnish  the  cotton 
that  sustains  the  foreign  commerce  of  our  country  ?  Does 
not  the  South  furnish  four  fifths  of  the  value  of  the  exports 
of  the  whole  country  ?  Is  it  not  our  staples  that  furnish 
the  chief  employment  of  the  marine  of  the  North  ?  Our 
productions  that  build  up  her  towns  and  cities, — her  rail- 
roads ? — in  fact,  produce  her  prosperity  ?  " 

Mildmay  remained  silent, — and  as  if  sure  of  the  jus- 
tice of  his  argument,  Mr.  Moreton,  after  catching  his 
breath,  went  on  : 

"  Is  there  an  article  except  our  food,  used  in  the  South, 
not  wholly,  or  in  part,  the  product  of  Northern  labor; 


284  THE  master's  house  ; 

consuming  millions  of  our  resources,  and  illustrating  the 
innumerable  swindles  the  Yankees,  have  to  legerdemain 
our  dollars  into  their  pockets  ?  " 

"  And  what  is  your  remedy?"  asked  Mildmay,  show- 
ing an  evident  desire  to  be  very  attentive. 

"  I  would,"  said  Mr.  Moreton,  triumphantly,  "  deprive 
the  Yankees  of  our  Southern  trade, — abolish  all  tariffs, — 
and  seek  abroad,  and  at  less  cost,  for  the  supplies  we  now 
get  from  our  Northern  brethren.''^ 

"  Mr.  Moreton,"  said  Mildmay,  solemnly,  "  like  most 
of  our  (I  am  sorry  to  say)  popular  Southern  politicians, 
you  have  come  to  the  right  conclusion,  but  in  the  wrong 
way.  I  desire  to  cut  the  South  loose  from  its  dependence, 
not  only  upon  the  North,  but  upon  every  thing  but  its 
inexhaustible  resources.  But  this  glorious  result  must  be 
reached  not  by  agitation,  or  popular  speeches,  but  by  hard 
self-sacrificing  industry.  A  blacksmith,  my  dear  sir, 
pounding  upon  his  anvil  from  morning  until  night,  in  the 
town  of  Beechland,  would  do  more  for  Southern  independ- 
ence, than  all  the  State  rights  speeches  that  ever  were 
made.  Gro  abroad  for  our  supplies,  and  not  possess  a 
single  ship  !-•-— cut  loose  from  the  North,  and  no  established 
manufactures  among  us  !  Mr.  Moreton,  young  as  I  am, 
I  have  reflected  deeply  upon  these  things ;  and  unless  we 
can  have  towns  filled  with  a  thriving,  moral  population, 
cordially  supported  by  the  planting  interest,  and  honored, 
and  not  contemned,  by  those  who  cultivate  the  soil,  it  is 
useless  to  talk  of  independence,  and  vain  to  suppose  that 
the  evils  you  complain  of  at  Beechland,  will  not  continually 
increase." 


A    TALK    OF    SOUTIIKKN    LIFE.  285 

"J!fr.  Mildmay,"  said  Mr.  Moreton,  springing  to  his 
feet,  and  pacing  up  and  down  the  gallery;  "you  seem  to 
lack  a  proper  confidence  in  the  South  ;  I  am  surprised  to 
hear  a  man  so  deeply  interested  in  its  interests  as  you  are, 
doubt  its  ability  to  take  care  of  itself,  no  matter  where  its 
enemies  come  from." 

"  I  doubt  not  its  ability,"  said  Mildmay,  with  de- 
cision; "but  I  greatly  doubt  its  consistent  energy.  I 
have  no  desire  to  separate  the  Union,  but  I  am  willing  to 
do  all  I  can  to  render  the  South  commercially  free ;  let 
us  make  ourselves  independent ;  and  I  am  willing  to  leave 
the  cementing  together  of  this  Great  Kepublic  to  the 
strong  bonds  of  mutual  interest, — to  say  nothing  of  being 
by  nature  and  historical  associations  really  one  people, 
members  of  the  same  family." 

Mr.  Moreton  had  so  long  entertained  his  opinions 
without  oj)position,  and  had  so  allowed  prejudice  to  ob- 
scure his  naturally  superior  mind,  that  while  Mildmay's 
practical  arguments  had  their  effect,  they  annoyed,  as 
well  as  convinced ;  and  Mr.  Moreton,  as  a  relief,  fell  back 
upon  the  reserved  field,  where  he  supposed  Mildmay  would 
cordially  meet  him  in  his  very  extreme  views,  and  ab- 
ruptly said, — 

"  I  never  can  reason  as  cooUy  on  these  subjects  as 
yourself,  sir,  so  long  as  I  remember  that  the  North  con- 
stantly interferes  with  our  domestic  institutions." 

"  The  North  does  interfere,"  said  Mildmay,  a  cloud 
passing  over  his  face ;  "  but  here,  again,  the  South  has  a 
labor  of  self-denial  to  perform.  We  cannot  stop  the  free- 
dom of  speech.     Whatever  was  the  original  pretension  of 


286  THE  master's  house  ; 

fanaticism,  or  hostility  to  our  domestic  slavery,  it  is  agreed 
by  the  North,  that  there  is  no  power  in  Congress  to  inter- 
fere with  the  States  in  the  matter ;  here  I  am  content  to 
rest ;  and  I  frankly  confess,  that  I  look  upon  all  Southern 
members  in  Congress,  who  bring  slavery  before  that  body 
for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  abstract  rights,  as  injuring 
the  institution  :  and  though  their  intentions  may  be  good, 
they  are  none  the  less  practical  enemies  to  the  South." 

"  I  wouldn't  yield  even  a  prejudice,"  said  Mr.  More- 
ton,  now  thoroughly  excited ;  "  if  necessary,"  he  con- 
tinued, "  I  would  take  up  arms  in  defence  of  our  institu- 
tions. Never,  never  would  I  give  up,  except  with  my 
life,  even  a  shadow  of  right." 

"  I  cannot  feel  the  force  or  utility  of  such  feelings," 
was  the  reply.  "  I  am  willing  to  yield  any  thing,  not  of 
practical  value,  because  I  deplore  '  agitation ; '  and  al- 
though I  can  sympathize  with  inconsiderate  friends,  yet 
I  am  not  blind  to  the  evil  resulting  from  their  influence. 

"  The  fugitive  slave  law,"  continued  Mildmay,  "  is 
founded  upon  a  constitutional  basis,  yet  it  is,  when  enforced 
at  the  North,  a  source  of  the  greatest  evil  to  our  good  name, 
and  the  popular  support  of  our  institution.  Suppose  we  do 
lose  negroes, — in  my  opinion,  it  is  more  the  fault  of  the  na- 
ture of  the  property,  than  the  North,  that  it  runs  away — let 
us  look  upon  those  that  escape,  as  if  it  were  the  same  amount 
of  value  destroyed  by  the  elements,  and  if  we  cannot  man- 
age to  be  insured,  let  us  brave  our  losses  with  philosophy. 
Neither  you  nor  I,  Mr.  Moreton.  nor  any  Southern  gentle- 
man, would  personally  pursue  a  fugitive ;  we  would  not 
have  one,  when  returned  to  us,  upon  our  plantations;  why, 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  287 

then,  disturb  the  harmony  of  the  country,  by  pursuing  a 
right,  the  enforcement  of  which  is  comparatively  of  no 
value,  while  the  poisoning  of  the  public  opinion  of  the 
North  against  us,  is  of  immense  injury." 

"  And  would  you  suffer  our  slaves  to  leave  us  with 
impunity, — absolutely  invite  aggression  ?  "  almost  gasped 
Mr.  Moreton,  in  his  astonishment  at  Mildmay's  remarks. 

"  No,  sir,"  said  Mildmay,  with  energy,  "  I  would  do 
nothing  of  the  kind ;  but  what  I  did  do  for  the  protection 
of  our  slavery  interest  should  be  founded  in  reason, — be 
practical  in  its  operation, — and  accord,  as  far  as  might  be 
possible,  with  the  sentiment  not  only  of  the  North,  but  of 
the  world.  While  I  would  allow  no  interference,  I  would 
call  that  man  an  enemy  of  the  South  who  was  aggressive. 
I  would  treat  slavery  purely  as  a  local  and  domestic  insti- 
tution— and  to  come  back  to  our  original  starting  point, 
by  encouraging  a  diversity  of  interests  in  the  South,  we 
would  find  ourselves,  as  years  passed  on,  less  dependent 
upon  the  North  for  our  commercial  and  political  prosperity, 
and  therefore  better  prepared  to  remedy  the  evils  of  which 
you  complain,  and  thereby  do  what  is  of  infinitely  more 
importance,  meliorate  the  condition  of  the  master." 


288  THE  master's  house  ; 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


THE     FORMS     OF     LAW. 


It  is  no  more  thau  justice  to  Major  Trimmer,  to  state, 
that,  as  the  time  for  the  trial  of  Toadvine  approached,  he 
entered  upon  his  duties  with  all  his  soul.  He  had  staked 
a  great  deal  of  "  reputation  "  upon  a  successful  issue,  and 
was  perhaps  more  than  ever  zealous,  from  the  fact,  that 
there  still  existed  such  an  "outside  pressure"  among  the 
substantial  men  of  the  community,  against  the  prisoner; 
for  this  operated  in  the  Major's  mind  as  a  challenge  to 
extra  exertion,  acting  with  more  force  than  even  the  "  due 
bill,"  "  saddle-horse,"  "  promissory  note,"  and  "  one  half 
undivided  interest  in  the  boy,  Jo." 

The  outside  of  the  Court-house  indicated  an  unusual 
agitation  in  the  public  mind  \  not  for  years,  except  at  some 
great  political  excitement,  had  there  been  seen  so  many 
horses  hitched  in  its  vicinity ;  and  there  was  also  noticeable 
a  number  of  old  solid  planters  in  the  crowd  of  gentlemen, 
who  seldom  honored  such  scenes  with  their  presence.  Even 
Mr.  Moreton,  who  rarely  took  a  part  in  public  proceedings, 
evinced  great  interest  on  this  occasion. 


A    TALK    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  289 

Considerable  sensation  was  iDi-oduced  when  Gen.  Bled- 
soe and  his  friends  rode  up  to  the  court-house.  It  was 
noticed  that  they  wore  stern  expressions,  and  it  was  very 
evident  that  they  had  come  together,  determined  to  see 
that  there  was  no  unfair  means  used  to  get  Toadvinc  clear, 
and  that  the  prosecution  should  be  strengthened  by  their 
presence  and  synipatliies.  Gen.  Bledsoe,  and  Mildmay, 
came  into  the  court-room  together,  and  the  crowd  respect- 
fully gave  way,  to  let  them  pass,  as  the  sheriff  showed 
them  seats  "  inside  the  bar." 

Finally  there  was  a  great  moving  of  feet,  and  a  sway- 
ing to  and  fro  of  the  crowd,  and  considerable  talking  and 
eager  staring  about,  as  the  deputy  sheriff,  accompanied  by 
the  prisoner,  came  through  a  door  behind  the  Judges' 
bench.  Toadvinc  wore  his  usually  stolid  appearance, 
although  he  looked  a  little  pale,  an  effect  rather  of  being 
for  some  weeks  in  confinement,  than  from  any  excitement 
about  the  result  of  the  trial.  Considerable  surprise  was 
manifested  at  the  peculiarity  of  his  overcoat,  which  was 
made  of  what  was  originally  a  white  blanket,  with  a  deep 
red  border,  and  was  so  worked  up,  that  this  glaring  edge 
formed  a  border  for  the  skirts,  and  prominent  stripes  on 
the  shoulders. 

"  Some  one  told  me,"  said  Gen.  Bledsoe  to  Mildmay, 
observing  this  marked  coat,  "that  Toadvine's  friends  had 
determined  that  he  should  make  a  break  out  of  the  house, 
in  case  the  trial  went  against  him — but  with  that  peculiar 
coat  on,  he  could  '  be  spotted,'  even  in  the  darkest  night." 

"  There  is  some  infernal  trick  about  it,"  continued 
Gen.  Bledsoe,  biting  the  ivory  baudle  of  his  ridiug-whip, 
13 


290  THE  master's  house; 

"you  may  depend,  Mildmay;  that  coat  has  not  been  put 
on  that  fellow  without  some  ulterior  object." 

Mildmay  looked  at  the  coat,  but  saw  nothing  except 
what  was  presented  to  his  eye,  although  he  perceived,  to 
his  own  surprise,  that  Gen.  Bledsoe  was  evidently  in  deep 
study,  inspired  by  its  appearance. 

After  what  appeared  to  the  impatient  spectators  a  great 
deal  of  unnecessary  talking  between  the  judge.  Major  Trim- 
mer, the  prosecuting  attorney,  and  the  clerk  of  the  court, 
the  important  matter  of  empanelling  the  jury  commenced. 

Now  Major  Trimmer  had  told  Toadvine,  that  every 
thing  depended  upon  the  complexion  of  the  jury,  and  that 
if  he  could  manage  to  challenge  every  "  dough-face"  and 
church-going  man  in  the  county,  why  he  could  get  him 
through,  without  the  least  possible  difficulty. 

Acting  upon  this  well-defined  principle,  the  regular 
jurors  for  the  term,  composed  of  a  certain  number  of  citi- 
zens drawn  indiscriminately  from  among  the  voters  of  the 
county,  were  very  soon  disposed  of.  As  one  after  another 
was  called  to  "  the  stand,"  a  struggle  ensued  between  Maj. 
Trimmer  and  the  district  attorney,  and  it  always  appeared, 
that  just  in  proportion  as  the  State  wanted  the  particular 
juror,  the  prisoner  didn't  want  him,  and  by  the  construction 
of  the  law,  the  list  of  regular  and  responsible  jm-ors  was 
soon  exhausted,  and  every  one  had  been  rejected  except  a 
small  repulsive-looking  man,  who  had  slipped  in  by  a  deci- 
sion of  the  judge,  rather  than  by  the  wish  of  either  the 
district  attorney  or  the  ever- indefatigable  Trimmer. 

The  excitement  so  far  had  been  quite  intense,  and  the 
result  was  considered,  on  the  whole,  favorable  for  the  cause 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIKRN    LIFE.  291 

of  the  prisoner.  It  was  perfectly  understood,  that  Trim- 
mer had  accomplished  his  first  object,  which  was  to  compel 
the  jury  to  be  made  up  of  talesmen^  or  persons  taken  in- 
discriminately from  the  hangers-on  about  the  court-house 
at  the  time  of  the  trial,  and  consequently,  Major  Trimmer 
was  in  ecstasies,  and  the  conservative  and  well  disposed 
planters,  exceedingly  cast  down. 

"  If  it  hadn't  been  for  your  well-meant,  but  I  fear  un- 
fortunate interference,  Mildmay,"  said  Gen.  Bledsoe,  his 
face  glowing  with  disgust  at  the  preliminary  proceedings  of 
the  trial,  "  we  shouldn't  have  had  to  listen  to  this  d — d 
farce  enacting  before  us  ;  Toadvine  would  have  got  his  de- 
serts, and  honest  men  their  dues,"  and  the  general  snapped 
his  whip  with  undisguised  impatience. 

"  I  cannot  think,"  said  Mildmay,  for  the  first  time  in 
his  life  in  doubt  about  the  propriety  of  having  done  a  good 
action,  "  I  cannot  believe,  even  with  the  rejection  of  our 
best  men  as  jurors,  but  that  the  prisoner  must  be  pun- 
ished." 

"  It  may  be  so,"  mechanically  answered  Gen.  Bledsoe, 
from  between  his  teeth,  the  while  surveying  the  triumphant 
looks  of  Trimmer,  and  the  hopeful  face  of  Toadvine — "  it 
may  be  so,  but  depend  upon  it,  if  we  are  juggled  out  of  a 
conviction  by  these  proceedings,  there  is  a  tribunal  outside 
the  building,  that  will  not  let  the  prisoner  escape." 

Mildmay  remained  silent,  while  the  painful  scene  of 
the  attempted  lynching  of  Toadvine  passed  in  sickening 
shadows  through  his  mind,  and  he  shuddered,  as  if  some 
undefined  spirit  of  evil  had  breathed  its  blasting  influence 
upon  his  inmost  soul. 


292  THE  master's  house  ; 

The  judge  now  squared  himself  around  in  his  scat, 
unbuttoned  his  Arkansas  blanket  coat,  and  threw  the  collar 
gracefully  over  his  shoulders ;  and  helping  himself  to  a 
sip  of  water  out  of  a  broken  pitcher  within  his  reach,  he 
took  a  cigar  out  of  his  pocket,  and  was  in  the  act  of  light- 
ing it  with  a  lucifer-match,  when  he  recollected  that  he 
was  "  the  Court : "  so  he  put  the  cigar  back,  and  getting  a 
large  piece  of  tobacco  from  one  of  the  spectators  near  him, 
he  crowded  one  half  of  the  appropriated  weed  in  his 
mouth,  and  laid  the  remainder  beside  his  spectacles ;  and 
ordered  the  business  of  the  hour  to  go  on. 

The  struggle  between  the  district  attorney  and  Trimmer 
for  the  completion  of  the  jury,  soon,  however,  became  a 
one-sided  affair.  The  alternative  was  left  with  the  State, 
to  have  no  trial  at  all — ^which  was  quite  as  agreeable  to 
Toadvine  in  its  results,  as  a  verdict  of  not  guilty — or  to 
accept  for  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  jui-y  the  very 
individuals,  whom  Trimmer  had  so  artfully  managed  to 
have  conveniently  at  hand. 

As  the  seventh  juror  took  his  seat.  Trimmer  sank 
back  in  his  chair,  seemingly  relieved  of  much  anxiety. 
He  had  up  to  this  moment  wrangled  and  "  speechified," 
and  quoted  law — coaxed  the  judge,  bullied  the  jurors — 
and  eoue  off  occasionally  into  his  stereotyped  flights  of 
eloquence,  as  if  he  were  on  the  stump;  but  a  benign 
smile  now  played  upon  his  lips :  it  was  evident  that  a  load 
was  taken  from  his  mind, — a  majority  of  the  jury  had 
been  sworn  in,  who  were,  according  to  his  purpose,  the 
very  best  men.  And,  therefore,  relaxing  from  his  severe 
labor,  ho  requested  a  young  lawyoi* — a  relative  of  his, 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  293 

who  was  near  by — to  relieve  him  for  a  while  of  the  Labor 
of  cross-questioning  and  challenging. 

"  Don't,"  said  the  major,  giving  his  friend  a  hint — 
"  don't  let  a  single  man  on  the  jury,  if  you  can  help  it, 
that  has  got  a  cleanly-shaved  face;  as  a  general  thing, 
that  kind  of  peculiarity  is  good  for  a  witness  in  a  civil 
case,  if  he's  on  your  side,  but  a  bad  symptom,  if  you  are 
defending  for  murder. 

"  Be  careful,"  he  added,  in  the  very  profuseness  of  his 
genius,  "  not  to  let  slip  through  your  hands  any  fellow 
that  wears  his  coat  buttoned  around  his  throat  so  as  to 
conceal  his  linen,  if  he  has  any ;  and  be  particularly  fond 
of  any  one  whose  eyes  are  inflamed,  and  bruised  a  little : 
and,  more  than  all,  don't  let  a  fellow  in  that's  got  much 
forehead.  Flat-headed  jurors,  with  all  their  brains  behind 
their  ears,  are  the  thing  for  murder  cases, — recollect 
that  ;^^  and  the  major  again  relapsed  into  a  momentary 
quiet. 

It  was,  however,  useless;  the  moment  that  a  candidate 
for  the  jury  was  placed  under  the  official  crossfire,  Major 
Trimmer  was  again  upon  his  feet,  and  performing  his  du- 
ties with  characteristic  zeal.  > 

The  eleventh  juror  had  finally  taken  his  place,  and  the 
audience  had  become  somewhat  fatigued  with  the  same 
routine  of  amusement,  when  it  was  discovered  that  every 
eligible  person  present  not  already  sworn  in  as  a  juror, 
had  been  "  rejected ; "  and  the  Court  ordered  the  sheriff 
to  go  literally  out  in  the  highways  and  byways  for  the 
material  to  make  up  the  "  precious  dozen." 

Now  there  was  living  in  the  vicinity  of  the   court- 


294  THE  master's  house  ; 

house,  a  hard-working  and  ingenious  mechanic — a  saddler 
by  trade,  who  adorned  the  name  of  Buatt.  This  per- 
son never  left  his  shop  except  on  business,  and  he  was 
often  heard  to  say,  "  that  all  he  wanted  in  this  world,  was 
plenty  of  work,  and  no  one  to  interfere  with  his  attending 
to  it." 

To  Buatt,  singular  as  it  may  at  first  appear,  the  sheriff 
was  the  great  terror  of  his  life.  Not  that  Buatt  owed  a 
cent  in  the  world, — ^far  from  it ;  he  was  the  model  of 
promptness  in  the  payment  of  debts ; — not  that  he  ever 
got  into  brawls,  for  he  was,  being  truly  brave,  one  of  the 
most  cjuiet  men  in  the  community ; — but  when  the  sheriff 
wanted  a  juror,  and  none  could  be  found,  Buatt  was  his 
last,  but  certain  resource :  and  in  this  way,  the  saddler 
was  defrauded  of  his  time,  and  consequently,  out  of  his 
money. 

This  sacrifice  of  Buatt  to  the  public  had  become  in  Beech- 
land  a  standing  joke,  for  there  was  rarely  a  tedious  trial 
in  prospect,  but  that  the  poor  fellow  was  subpoenaed  as  a 
juror,  until,  finally,  in  self-defence,  he  had  laid  it  down  as 
a  solemn  principle,  to  "  hang,"  every  jury  he  might  be  on  ; 
and  to  such  an  extent,  in  his  gi'ievances,  had  he  carried 
this  determination,  that  Buatt  looked  upon  all  trials  as 
mere  farces,  to  involve  him  in  annoyances, — rob  clients  of 
their  money,  and  jurymen  of  their  time, — and  nothing 
more ;  the  solemnity  and  importance  that  should  attach  to 
them  had  long  since  passed  from  his  mind. 

On  the  occasion  of  the  "  Toadvine  trial,"  he  was  as 
usual  hard  at  work  in  his  shop, — a  great  many  little  jobs 
naturally  coming  in,  from  the  unusual  crowd  of  people 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  295 

about  the  court-house, — when  the  deputy  sheriff  laid  an 
order  before  him,  to  attend  the  Court.  On  ordinary  occa- 
sions he  would  have  been  furious  at  such  a  summons,  but 
never  dreaming  how  much  he  was  needed,  he  concluded  to 
"  step  around,"  go  through  the  form  of  being  "  qualified," 
and  then  be  dismissed  with  the  usual  laugh,  and  thus  be 
left  quietly  to  attend  to  his  business  ;  and  in  this  humor, 
and  much  to  the  surprise  of  the  "  deputy,"  Buatt  with 
alacrity  left  his  work-bench,  and  accompanied  the  oflGicer  of 
the  Court. 

When  the  saddler  presented  himself,  a  general  laugh 
ensued  :  "  There's  the  old  stand-by,"  whispered  one ; 
"  He's  part  of  the  law,"  suggested  another;  and  this  feel- 
ing finally  burst  forth  in  loud  applause.  The  sheriff 
looked  out  of  the  window,  cried  "  Silence ! "  and  the  legal 
dispute  began. 

Buatt  still  feeling  perfectly  conscious  that  he  would  be 
rejected,  and  Major  Trimmer  and  the  district  attorney 
being  under  the  same  delusion,  two  or  three  questions 
were  asked,  which  Buatt  answered  in  a  careless  manner, 
when,  to  the  astonishment  of  every  person,  the  judge 
accepted  of  Buatt  as  a  juror, — the  mutual  challenges  of 
the  two  lawyers  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

The  evident  annoyance  of  the  "victim,"  as  he  took  his 
seat,  was  irresistibly  comic  ;  and  as  he  completed  the  jury, 
another  round  of  applause  was  given,  which  "  the  Court," 
with  a  singularly  bland  smile,  desired  would  not  again  be 
repeated, — but  which  desire  was  instantly  disregarded,  as 
Buatt  arose,  and  addressing  the  judge  by  his  given  name, 
said, — 


296  THE  master's  house  ; 

"  Jo,  if  you  will  keep  me  here  in  this  d — d  box,  send 
somebody  around  to  lock  up  my  shop," 

"Order!  order!"  cried  the  sheriff,  while  the  judge 
suddenly  burying  his  face  in  a  law  book,  pretended  not  to 
have  heard  the  expression,  so  much  calculated  to  infringe 
upon  his  dignity. 

A  few  moments  of  confusion  followed,  as  the  specta- 
tors sighed  out  their  relief  that  the  jury  was  at  length  em- 
panelled, and  that  a  new  act  would  commence,  of  what 
General  Bledsoe  now  pronounced  to  be,  a  "  contemptible 
legal  farce." 

The  judge  now  asked  if  the  parties  interested  in  "  The 
State  vs.  Toadviue,"  were  ready  for  trial ;  and  being 
answered  in  the  affirmative,  with  some  other  very  unmean- 
ing preliminaries,  the  clerk  proceeded  to  read  the  usual  in- 
dictment. 

The  district  attorney  then  rose,  and  "opened  the  case." 
He  briefly  and  clearly  stated  to  the  jury  the  nature  of  the 
crime  charged  against  the  prisoner,  declaring,  that  al- 
though the  person  murdered  was  civilly  treated  as  pro- 
perty, he  was  as  to  crimes  and  offences  considered  as  a 
person.  He  further  defined  murder  to  be,  according  to 
Sir  Edward  Coke,  "when  a  person  of  sound  memory 
and  discretion  unlawfully  killeth  any  reasonable  creature, 
being  in,  and  under,  the  king's  peace,  with  malice  afore- 
thought, either  express  or  implied."  The  district  attor- 
ney then  stated  the  facts  of  the  case,  and  said,  that  he 
believed  he  could  prove  them  by  an  unusual  array  of  truth- 
ful witnesses. 


A   TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  297 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


THE  TESTIMONY. 


The  first  witness  called  was  the  jailer.  Upon  the  an- 
nouncement of  his  name  by  the  sheriflF,  he  promptly  made 
his  appearance ;  and  as  he  was  so  often  a  witness  in  one 
way  and  another,  he  looked  around  as  complacently  as  the 
"  Court"  itself.  The  clerk  held  out  the  Bible,  on  which 
the  jailer  in  a  professional  manner  placed  his  hand,  when 
the  subordinate  official  said,  "  Mr.  Orcutt,  you  swear  be- 
fore Almighty  God,  and  these  witnesses,  that  you  will 
e-1-d-h-a-r-truth-p-s-d-r-u-m-c-l-w-s-d-i-y-and-r-t-v-u-a-h-e-r," 
whereupon  Mr.  Orcutt  delicately  kissed  his  own  fingers, 
instead  of  the  book,  the  district  attorney,  in  a  solemn  voice, 
then  asked : 

"  Mr.  Orcutt,  you  are  jailer  of  Beechland,  I  believe  ?" 

"  That's  the  understanding,  considering  you  have  known 
the  fact  for  eleven  years,"  said  Orcutt,  with  a  grin. 

"  May  it  please  the  Court,"  said  the  major,  swinging 
round  his  arms,  in  sympathy  with  a  burst  of  eloquence 
which  he  could,  but  did  not  utter;  "may  it  please  the 
Court,  that  the  witness  answers  in  a  respectful  manner." 

"The  Coiu't"  temporarily  relieved  its  mouth  of  a 
13* 


298  THE  master's  house; 

largo  amount  of  half-masticated  "  Old  Kaintuek,"  and 
said,  "  that  it  was  expected,  and  he  hoped  the  gentleman 

would  understand,  that ,"  and  the  rest  of  the 

Court's  remarks  were  lost  in  the  sheriff's  crying  "  Si- 
lence !"  on  account  of  a  horse  "  squealing"  on  the  outside 
of  the  building. 

Mr.  Orcutt  went  on : — "  Mr.  Toadvine  come  to  me 
just  at  dark  for  the  boy  Jack,  and  I  delivered  him  up, 
knowing  Mr.  Toadvine  to  be  Mr.  Mildmay's  overseer." 
The  jailer  then  gave  his  version  of  Toadvine's  taking  the 
negro  out  of  the  jail, — leaving  the  impression  on  the  mind 
of  the  jury,  however,  that  Toadvine  did  it  in  the  most 
considerate  manner ;  at  the  same  time,  he  was  most  posi- 
tive that  after  he  closed  the  jail  door,  he  knew  nothing — 
saw  nothing,  of  Toadvine's  actions  or  treatment  of  the 
negro.  The  piece  of  rope  that  was  found  round  Jack's 
neck,  was  acknowledged  by  Orcutt  to  be  of  the  same  coil 
in  his  possession. 

"  Was  the  prisoner  intoxicated  at  the  time  he  came 
for  Jack?"  asked  the  district  attorney,  supposing  that 
Major  Trimmer  had  done  with  tlie  witness. 

"I  object  to  that  question!"  said  Major  Trimmer, 
looking  very  fierce. 

"  If  the  Court  please,"  returned  the  district  attorney, 
*'  I  will  finish  my  examination  uninterrupted,  and  then 
hand  the  witness  over  to  the  defence." 

"  Was  the  prisoner  intoxicated,  Mr.  Orcutt?"  repeated 
the  district  attorney. 

Orcutt  looked  confused.  "  Eemember  you  are  under 
oath ! "  suggested  "  his  honor,"  picking  his  teeth  with  a 
jack-knife. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  299 

"  Mr.  Toadviue  was  slightly,  very  slightly  elevated  I " 
said  Orcutt,  after  much  hesitation. 

"What  do  you  mean  by  'elevated,'  Mr.  Orcutt?" 
asked  the  district  attorney,  appearing  entirely  at  a  loss  as 
to  the  witness's  meaning, 

Orcutt  scratched  his  head,  looked  despairingly  around, 
stared  at  Major  Trimmer,  then  at  the  Court,  and  finally 
said  :  "  By  '  elevated,'  I  mean  that  Mr.  Toadvine  '  felt 
well.' " 

The  district  attorney  now  "  begged  "  the  Court  to  or- 
der the  witness  to  answer  the  question  direct,  and  he  again 
repeated  it,  with  unusual  emphasis  on  the  word  *  intoxi- 
cated.' 

"  Perhaps,"  said  Orcutt,  "  he  mought  have  been  '  con- 
siderable,' and  he  mought  not — people  as  stay  at  the 
*  Head-quarters '  all  the  afternoon,  if  they  participate 
at  all,  get  somewhat  '  anti-fogmatic,'  but  not  always. 
Toadvine  was  '  straight,'  now  I  remember,  for  we  tossed 
coppers  for  an  odd  quarter  (great  sensation  with  Major 
Trimmer),  and  Toadvine  knew  which  side  his  bread  was 
buttered,  as  quick  as  the  soberest  man  as  ever  was  in 
Beechland." 

"  You  can  go  ! "  said  the  district  attorney,  who,  catch- 
aig  Gen.  Bledsoe's  eye  at  the  instant,  assumed  a  look  of 
disgust  at  Orcutt's  evident  unwillingness  to  state  a  single 
fact. 

"  You  perceive,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,"  now  chimed 
in  Major  Trimmer,  "  that  the  prosecutor's  own  witness  ac- 
knowledges that  Mr.  Toadvine  was  '  straight,'  when  he  went 
for  the  negi-o  bov  Jack." 


300  THE  master's  house  ; 

"  "Why  didn't  Orcutt  say  Toadvine  was  drunt,  at 
once,"  said  Withers,  the  juryman,  to  Buatt,  "  for  what 
harm  would  that  have  been  ?  " 

Gen.  Bledsoe^  after  taking  the  oath,  was  requested  to 
state,  by  the  district  attorney,  what  he  knew  of  the  find- 
ing of  Jack's  body. 

The  general,  in  a  clear  voice,  and  very  decided  man- 
ner, stated  that  he  was  one  of  the  very  first  persons  that 
came  upon  the  body  of  the  deceased ;  that  it  was  evident 
to  the  dullest  intellect,  from  the  very  deep  furrow,  made 
for  more  than  a  hundred  yards  in  the  soft  mud,  and  the 
appearance  of  the  body  itself,  that  it  had  been  dragged 
swiftly  all  that  long  distance.  He  further  stated,  that  he 
assisted  with  his  own  hands  in  taking  the  rope  ofi"  of  the 
deceased's  neck,  and  that  he  found  the  spinal  column 
not  only  broken  from  the  base  of  the  skull,  but  that  the 
muscles  of  the  neck  had  been  extraordinarily  stretched,- 
while  in  the  act  of  sustaining  the  dragging  weight  of  the 
body.  As  Gen.  Bledsoe  was  a  very  wealthy  man,  and 
given  to  taking  the  law  in  his  own  hands,  where  he  was 
personally  concerned;  he  escaped,  of  course,  any  undue 
cross-questioning  from  Major  Trimmer. 

Graham  Mildmay  was  next  called.  After  being  sworn, 
he  stated  that  he  knew  nothing  of  the  murder,  until  in- 
formed of  it  by  Gen,  Bledsoe,  and  other  gentlemen.  He 
testified  that  the  boy  Jack  was,  in  his  estimation,  a  harm- 
less, inoffensive  negro  ;  that  he  had  never  been,  to  his 
knowledge,  whipped  for  disobedience.  That  he  was  satis- 
fied that  his  running  away  was  more  from  ignorance  of  the 
consequences,  than   any  thing   else;    and   that   it   would 


?:> 


A    TALK    OF    SOlfTHKRX    LIFE.  801 

probably  not  have  occurred,  bad  be  been  on  bis  plantation 
at  tbe  time." 

"  Do  you  not  consider  tbat  Mr.  Toadvine  was  unneces- 
sarily severe,  as  an  overseer  ?  "  asked  tbe  district  attorney. 

"  If  I  had  so  thought  him  to  be,"  answered  Mildmay, 
"  I  should  not  have  employed  him  on  my  place.  It  was 
not  until  since  be  left  me,  that  I  have  become  aware  of  tbe 
difficulties  be  had  in  managing  my  negroes.  Without 
wishing  to  interfere  with  proper  discipline,"  continued 
Mildmay,  "  I  must  think  tbat  Mr.  Toadvine  was  not  always 
considerate,  and  tbat  he  acted  frequently  from  impulses 
which  overcame  his  judgment." 

Two  witnesses,  much  to  Major  Trimmer's  astonish- 
ment, were  now  brought  in  by  the  district  attorney,  who 
testified,  that  they  saw  a  man  on  tbe  night  of  the  murder, 
going  out  of  Beecbland,  with  a  negro  tied  by  a  rope 
around  tbe  neck,  following  close  behind  his  horse;  but 
neither  would  say  positively,  tbat  it  was  Toadvine.  In 
fact,  they  both  exhibited  great  consternation,  and  seemed 
to  be  afraid  of  committing  themselves  against  the  prisoner, 
being  possessed  of  an  idea  in  their  minds,  that  tbe  law  was 
powerless  to  protect  them  against  tbe  vengeance  of  Toad- 
vine's  friends,  in  case  be  was  convicted  on  their  testimony  ; 
and  beyond  tbe  fact,  tbat  they  saw  a  man  going  out  of 
town  with  a  negro,  on  the  night  of  the  murder,  nothing 
positive  was  elicited. 

Major  Trimmer  (who  had  been  nervously  watching  the 
progress  of  the  trial,  and  was  exceedingly  embarrassed,  not 
only  by  the  testimony,  but  also  by  the  respectability  of  the 
witnesses,  which  kept  him  from  displaying  bis  favorite 


302  THE  master's  house  ; 

science  of  cross-questioning  and  annoying  them),  now  took 
the  case,  for  the  moment,  in  his  own  hands,  and  brought 
forward  his  witnesses. 

The  first  witness  for  the  defence  was  StubbSj  the  owner 
of  the  negro-catching  dogs.  He  took  his  place  at  the 
stand,  and  went  through  the,  to  him,  unnecessary  form  of 
an  oath ;  and  was  requested  by  Major  Trimmer,  to  be  so 
kind  as  to  state  to  the  jury  what  he  knew  of  the  boy  Jack. 

Stubbs,  who  had  been  by  Major  Trimmer  designedly 
kept  in  the  bar-room  of  the  "  Head-quarters,"  until  Mild- 
may's  testimony  had  been  given,  got  up,  perfectly  prepared 
to  answer  Major  Trimmer's  leading  questions,  without  re- 
gard to  their  meaning  or  effect,  which  would  not  have  been 
the  case,  had  he  known  all  the  particvdars ;  for  he  knew 
he  was  dependent  upon  the  planters  for  his  business,  and 
therefore  did  not  like  to  offend  them.  As  it  was.  Major 
Trimmer  "  pumped "  Stubbs  to  his  heart's  content,  and 
concluded  as  follows : 

"  It  has  been  stated,  Mr.  Stubbs,  that  Jack  was  a  very 
good  negro.     When  you  arrested  him,  what  took  place  ?  " 

"  Why  you  see,"  said  Stubbs,  counting  the  ends  of  his 
fingers  in  his  embarrassment,  "  you  see,  that  I  thinks  all 
runaways  is  dangerous.  Why?  'cause  they  mostly  go 
armed  with  '  bowies.' " 

"  Exactly  so  !  "  said  Major  Trimmer,  highly  delighted. 
"  All  runaways  are  dangerous,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  and 
wear  '  bowies,' — please  remember  that,  gentlemen  ! "  and 
thus  saying,  the  major  requested  Stubbs  to  go  on. 

"  I  warn't,  when  I  cotch't  Jack,  if  that  was  his  name, 
arter  any  of  Mr.  Mildmay's  niggers;  I  was,  at  the  time,  a 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  303 

trailin'  for  old  Phil  Spartan's  '  Juba  George,'  as  has  been 
out  nigh  on  to  a  year  already,  and  has  some  way  of  de- 
ceivin'  the  dogs,  or  keepin'  them  from  tarin'  him  down." 

"  Never  mind  about  that,  now  !  "  said  the  district  at- 
torney, sort  of  waking  up. 

"  As  I  said,  I  was  a  trailin'  for  '  Juba  George,'  when 
Tiger  opened  on  a  hot  scent,  and  Terror  gave  a  yelp  as 
made  me  yell  with  pride  at  the  dog's  smartness ;  and  the 
hull  pack  commenced  singing  beautiful,  and  runnin'  along 
as  true  as  a  bee-line,  when  what  should  turn  up  but  this 
'ere  nigger  as  died,  when  Mi'.  Toadvine  was  a  takin'  him 
home." 

"  Address  the  jury  ! "  said  the  Court,  unfolding  out  of 
a  sort  of  stupid  doze. 

"  As  I  was  saying,"  continued  Stubbs,  tm-ning  to  the 
jury,  and  now  becoming  quite  interested,  "  the  dogs  was 
a  runnin'  as  fine  as  a  ha'r,  when  this  Jack  sprung  up, 
leaped  like  a  deer  over  a  tree,  gave  a  yell  and  was  off;  but 
it  was  no  go,  he  come  to  bay  in  five  minutes,  and  fou't 
beautiful ;  I  think  Tige'  broke  out  one  of  his  front  teeth 
a  holdin'  on,  and  Bruiser  got  crippled  for  a  week,  and  if 
that  ain't  a  dangersome  nigger,  I'd  like  to  see  one  as  is." 

"  Then  you  think,"  said  Major  Trimmer,  with  a  slow, 
hesitating  voice,  "  that  this  boy.  Jack,  was  really  of  bad 
character,  and  would  resist  if  even  proper  discipline  was 
enforced  upon  him  ?  " 

"  I  think  I've  tuck  many  niggers  as  guv  up  easier  than 
him." 

The  sheriff  then  called  Mr.  Busteed,  and  the  proprie- 
tor of  the  well-known  "  Head-quarters"  presented  himself. 


304  THE  master's  house  ; 

It  was  a  saying  among  the  younger  members  of  tho 
bar,  that  Busteed  was  a  ".standing  witness,"  and  Buatt, 
a  "  permanent  juryman,"  and  that  the  two  ought  to  enter 
into  business  together,  in  these  official  capacities,  and  get 
a  heavy  salary  for  their  services.  The  fact  was,  that  most 
difficulties  in  Beechland  commenced  at  the  "  Head-quar- 
ters," or  could  be  traced  directly  to  that  popular  place  of 
resort,  consequently,  Busteed's  testimony  was  always  ne- 
cessary, and  what  was  most  unaccountable  to  people  of 
weak  minds,  he  was  always  on  the  part  of  the  "  prose- 
cuted," or  as  he  said,  "  taking  up  for  them  as  was  imposed 
on  by  the  law." 

"  Was  Mr.  Toadvine  intoxicated  on  the  evening  that  he 
took  Jack  out  of  jail?"  asked  Major  Trimmer. 

"  How  can  I  tell  when  a  man's  'toxicated?"  replied 
Busteed,  with  the  air  of  an  injured  man. 

"  But  you  must  have  some  notion  of  such  a  thing ! " 
suggested  Major  Trimmer. 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it ! "  said  Busteed,  with  a  confident  air, 
at  the  same  time  lolling  against  the  front  of  the  judge's 
stand.  "  People  that  are  fools  enough  to  drink  had  liquor 
will  get  sick,  and  that's  what  I  tells  my  customers  when- 
ever I  see  'em  going  to  '  imbibe  '  at  places  they  don't  know 
about ;  besides,  how  can  I  know  when  a  man's  intoxi- 
cated,— thar's  Judge  Burley  can  carry  just  as  much  as  he 
can  git  down,  without  a  winkin',  and  then  there's  others  as 
will  keel  up  at  the  first  glass." 

"  I  wish  to  know  whether  Mr.  Toadvine  left  your  house 
sober,  or  not?"  said  Major  Trimmer,  affectmg  (as  had 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  305 

been  previously  arranged  with  Busteed),  to  be  very  much 
irritated  at  the  witness's  evasions. 

"  Mr.  Toadvine  left  my  house  as  sober  as  any  gentle- 
men do,  and  always  does,  and  would ! "  replied  Busteed, 
authoritatively. 

"  Wasn't  he  much  annoyed  on  the  evening  referred  to, 
by  losses  at  cards  ? "  asked  the  district  attorney,  looking 
at  a  piece  of  paper  handed  to  him  by  Gen.  Bledsoe. 

"I  demand  protection  of  the  Court  for  my  client!" 
exclaimed  Major  Trimmer,  with  great  animation.  "  Pro- 
tection, may  it  please  your  honor,  from  inquisitorial  and 
improper  questions.  Whether  or  no  my  client  plays  cards, 
is  a  private  affair, — and  the  witness  should  not  answer." 

The  judge,  who,  as  we  have  before  hinted,  was  getting 
very  sleepy,  on  account  of  not  being  able  to  smoke  while 
on  the  bench,  and  who  had  been,  half  the  whole  time  of 
the  proceedings,  almost  oblivious  to  what  was  going  on  be- 
fore him,  now  roused  himself,  and  discharging  his  tobacco 
on  the  floor,  and  tasting  of  the  water  before  him,  as  if  its 
primitive  purity  was  nauseating  to  the  last  degree,  he  put 
on  his  spectacles  in  a  careful  manner,  looked  Busteed  full 
in  the  face,  and  solemnly  said  : 

"  The  Court  will  see  that  not  only  the  witnesses  are 
protected,  but  also  that  the  bar  and  the  bench  are  re- 
spected." 

This  sudden  ebullition  of  official  dignity  had  a  great 
effect  on  the  spectators ;  many  of  them  stopped  talking  and 
laughing,  and  things  would  for  the  moment  have  been 
quiet  calm  and  dignified,  had  not  the  sheriff  startled  the 


306  THE  master's  house  ; 

crowd  by  bawling  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  "  Silence !  si- 
lence !— Mr.  Orcutt !  Mr.  Orcutt ! " 

The  worthy  jailer  at  the  sound  came  rushing  out  of 
the  "  Head-quarters,"  where  he  had  been  looking  after 
Busteed's  customers,  while  that  gentleman  was  "  legally 
engaged;  and  mounting  the  witnesses'  stand,  almost  en- 
tirely out  of  breath,  he  wiped  his  lips  with  his  coat-sleeve, 
and  observed  to  the  clerk,  that  "  he  was  ready  to  take  a 
swar." 

The  clerk  reminded  Mr.  Orcutt  that  he  was  still  under 
the  weighty  responsibility  of  an  oath,  as  a  witness  in  the 
case  of  the  State  v.  Toadvine,  and  that  the  form  alluded 
to  would  not  be  repeated. 

"  Mr.  Orcutt,"  said  Major  Trimmer,  rising  with  dig- 
nity, and  opening  a  volume  of  Blackstone,  which  he  held 
upside  down  in  his  hands ;  Mr.  Orcutt,  please  state  to  this 
honorable  jury,  whether  or  no  the  boy  Jack  was  sick  while 
under  your  charge  in  jail  ?  " 

"  He  wasn't  sick  as  I  knows  on,"  returned  the  witness, 
eyeing  Trimmer  intently,  as  much  as  to  ask,  "  Why  didn't 
you  post  me  up  before  the  trial  on  this  point  ? — ^what  are 
you  driving  at  ?" 

"  You  say,"  said  Major  Trimmer,  looking  very  earnest, 
and  seizing  a  pen,  that  the  boy  was  not  sick  ?  " 

"  No,  I  don't,  though,"  said  Orcutt,  brightening  up ; 
"  I  don't  say  nothing  of  the  kind,  because  I  wouldn't  say 
under  oath  of  niggers  in  jail,  that  the  wellest-looking  of 
them  wasn't  sick." 

"  Then  there  is  a  great  deal  of  sickness  in  the  jail  ?  " 

"  Why,  generally  thar  is  'mong  the  runaways  when 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  307 

they  first  come  in,  for  although  they  get  better  victuals 
with  us,  they  get  less  air  and  exercise." 

"  And  tlie  boy  Jack  suflFered  as  others  do  ?  " 

"  He  did  complain  of  the  dog-bite  on  the  calf  of  his 
leg,  but  nothing  more,  as  I  recollect." 

"  Are  you  sure,  Mr.  Orcutt,  that  none  of  the  prisoners 
were  sick  with  cholera  ?" 

The  jailer  reflected  for  a  few  seconds,  and  said,  "  that 
he  believed  one  of  the  prisoners  was  troubled  that  way ; 
but  which  one,  he  didn't  know : "  and  with  this  answer, 
he  retired. 

"  Colonel  Price  !"  shouted  the  sheriif;  and  the  name 
was  no  sooner  uttered,  than  that  portly  worthy  presented 
himself.  Major  Trimmer,  who  seemed  to  be  very  much 
delighted  with  "the  coloners"  appearance,  asked  the  wit- 
ness : — 

"  Do  you  think.  Colonel  Price,  that  Mr.  Toadvine  is  a 
mild  or  a  severe  man  with  niggers  ?  " 

"  Mild — very  mild,"  replied  the  colonel. 

"  What  reason.  Colonel  Price,  have  you  for  declaring 
Mr.  Toadvine  to  be  '  mild — very  mild  V  " 

"  'Cause  he'd  let  niggers  off  for  nothing  that  'ud  get 
staked  down  by  me,  and  have  forty,"  replied  the  colonel, 
flushing  with  excitement. 

"  Colonel  Price,"  said  the  district  attorney,  "  do  you 
know  any  thing  about  the  defendant's  whipping  the  deceased 
before  he  ran  away  ?  " 

"  Who's  defendant, — and  what's  deceased?"  asked  the 
colonel,  an  idea  passing  through  his  mind  that  the  district 


308  THE  master's  house  ; 

attorney  was  quizzing  him,  because  he  was  not  a  "  college 
educated"  man. 

"  I  mean,"  said  the  district  attorney,  "  did  Mr.  Toad- 
vine  ever  whip  Jack  to  your  knowledge  ?" 

"  Sartain  he  did,"  said  the  colonel,  looking  very 
blank;  "  sartain  he  did,  and  by  my  advice,  too." 

Major  Trimmer  was  again  upon  his  feet,  and  with  a 
loud  voice  he  appealed  to  the  Coui-t  to  know,  if  witnesses 
were  obliged  to  answer  questions  relating  to  their  private 
business,  particularly  gentlemen  overseers,  regarding  their 
punishment  of  negroes. 

Price  thought  that  Trimmer  asked  him  the  question, 
and  he  vehemently  replied  : 

"  I  rather  think  I  ain't  obliged  to  answer  any  ques- 
tions that  I  don't  want  to,  and  you  may  depend  on  that.'''' 

"The  Court"  seemed  very  much  delighted  with  its 
temporary  mouth-piece. 

"  How  much  was  Jack  whipped  by  Mr,  Toadvine  on 
your  suggestion.  Colonel  Price  ? "  pursued  the  district 
attorney. 

"  Just  as  much,"  replied  the  colonel,  "  as  Toadvine 
had  grease  in  his  back  to  work  his  arms  with ;  and  since 
you  want  to  know  so  many  particulars,"  said  the  colonel, 
turning  to  the  district  attorney,  "  I  would  just  sa}^,  that 
if  any  man  gets  out  a  'dictment  agin  me  for  killing  a  nig- 
ger, I'll  cut  his " 

"Silence!"  said  the  sheriflF; — "  Take  him  out !"  cried 
the  lawyers;  "Go  it,  old  colonel!"  vociferated  the  "out- 
siders." 

The  judge  finally  leaned  over,  and  said  to  the  deputy 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFK.  309 

shcritF,  "  Take  '  tlie  colonel'  out  of  the  court,  or  I  sliall 
be  under  tlie  unpleasant  necessity  of  committing  him  for 
contempt." 

"  Oh,  come  out  of  the  court — I  want  to  tell  you  some- 
thing," whispered  the  officious  deputy. 

Price  gazed  upon  the  speaker  vacantly,  for  he  was 
very  much  intoxicated,  and  walked  quietly  through  the 
crowd  into  the  street.  Quiet  being  restored,  it  was  an- 
nounced that  "  the  defence  was  closed." 

Meanwhile,  Gen.  Bledsoe  and  the  particular  friends 
who  came  with  him  to  Beechland  in  the  morning,  formed 
a  group  by  themselves,  and  seemed  in  angry  conference. 
Expressions  of  contempt  for  the  whole  proceedings  of  the 
trial  were  to  be  heard,  reminding  one  of  the  mutterings  of 
a  coming  storm ;  the  judge  was  denounced  as  one  of 
"  Busteed's  right-hand  men," — the  jury,  as  "  a  set  of  packed 
rascals," — the  district  attorney,  as  "  an  ass," — and  Trim- 
mer, "  as  a  parasite  upon  the  community  in  which  he 
lived." 

Mildmay,  who  had  left  home  at  the  cost  of  neglecting 
important  ^business  that  required  his  personal  attention; 
and  feeling  sorely  disgusted  at  all  he  had  witnessed,  called 
Gen.  Bledsoe  apart,  stated  the  facts,  and  announced  his 
intention  of  returning  home  at  once. 

"  I  would  go  by  all  means,"  said  Gen.  Bledsoe,  with- 
out hesitation,  "  if  my  presence  were  needed  elsewhere. 
You  now  see,  Mr.  Mildmay,"  exclaimed  the  general,  with 
some  feeling,  "  that  that  scoundrel.  Toad  vine,  will  cheat 
the  gallows  after  all ;  you  will  learn,  when  you  have  lived 
here  a  few  more  years,  that  we  arc  obliged  sometimes  to 


310  THE  master's  house; 

take  the  law  into  our  own  hands,  if  we  would  not  have  it 
violated  with  impunity." 

"It  is  a  fearful  alternative,"  sighed  Mildmay;  and 
cordially  shaking  Gen.  Bledsoe  by  the  hand,  he  musingly 
pursued  his  way  to  Heritage  Place. 

Some  little  excitement  existed  among  the  spectators 
preceding  the  "  opening  of  the  prosecution."  After  a  few 
general  remarks,  the  district  attorney,  who  was  quite  a 
young  man,  said  : — 

"  The  defendant  stands  charged  with  murder.  In  ac- 
cordance with  just  mercy,  the  laws  of  Louisiana  make  no 
invidious  distinctions  against  the  negro,  when  we  come  to 
the  protection  of  his  life ;  and  the  white  man,  who  with 
malice  aforethought,  wilfully  kills  the  humblest  slave,  has 
committed  in  the  eye  of  the  law  the  highest  crime  known 
to  our  statutes. 

"  In  all  cases  of  death  by  violence,  the  law  presumes 
it  to  be  done  in  malice  until  the  contrary  be  proved  :  this 
is  so  construed  for  the  protection  of  life.  If,  therefore, 
you  are  satisfied  that  the  killing  was  done  with  malice, 
and  find  no  extenuating  circumstances,  you  cannot  do  less 
than  what  the  law  demands  of  you. 

"  In  the  operation  of  our  police  regulations,  a  negro 
is  committed  to  jail ;  in  due  course  of  time,  the  overseer 
calls  at  the  place  of  the  slave's  confinement^ — obtains  pos- 
session of  him, — ties  one  end  of  a  rope  around  the  slave's 
neck,  and  the  other  to  the  pommel  of  his  saddle, — and 
before  a  half  mile  is  accomplished,  the  negro  becomes  ex- 
hausted, is  dragged  through  the  mud  for  more  than  a  hun- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIEHN    LIFE.  311 

dred  yards,  and  is  then  cut  loose,  and  left  in  the  road, 
being  perfectly  dead. 

"  The  peculiar  character  of  our  institutions  requires 
that  the  master  should  necessarily  delegate  a  great  deal  of 
power  to  his  confidential  agent — the  overseer;  but  that 
authority  is  to  be  exerted  wisely,  and,  except  in  extreme 
cases,  violence  is  not  to  be  used.  I  am  sorry  to  say,  gen- 
tlemen, that  the  abuse  of  power  by  overseers  is  becoming 
too  common  ;  it  is  a  source  of  alarm  to  the  thinking  peo- 
ple of  the  community,  that  there  is  exhibited  a  growing 
wantonness  in  the  sacrifice  of  this  species  of  property,  and 
the  consequent  shedding  of  human  blood.  Unless,  gentle- 
men, we  protect  otir  slaves, — unless  the  strong  arm  of  the 
law  is  exerted  to  shield  them  from  the  death-dealing  influ- 
ences of  irresponsible  white  men,  society  among  us  will 
rapidly  degenerate  into  barbarism,  and  there  will  settle 
down  upon  us  a  cloud  deeper  and  more  terrible  than  that 
which  once  overwhelmed  Egypt. 

"  You  have,  also,  gentlemen,  a  duty  to  perform,  which 
should  be  one  to  you  of  serious  consideration.  There  are 
fanatics  at  the  North,  who  make  it  their  unrighteous  busi- 
ness to  vilify  and  misrepresent  the  South.  It  is  such 
cases,  as  we  have  here  to-day  presented,  that  give  founda- 
tion to  the  misrepresentations  we  have  alluded  to;  and 
we  are  bound,  as  we  wish  to  have  our  community  protected 
by  the  powerful  support  of  the  sanction  of  good  men  of 
every  land,  to  punish  those  who  would  give  force  to  the 
odium  that  is  heaped  upon  us.  We  must  let  no  more 
feathers,  plucked  from  the  breast  of  our  own  body  politic. 


312  THE  master's  house; 

give  certainty  of  aim  to  these  shafts  of  abuse,  and  then 
will  they  fall  harmless  to  the  ground. 

"  The  most  responsible, — the  most  honorable  men  of 
our  community,  have  given  in  their  testimony  to-day.  It 
has  been  shown  by  Mr.  Orcutt,  that  the  accused  tied  the 
deceased  with  a  rope  around  the  neck  previous  to  the  leav- 
ing of  the  jail  5  it  has  been  proven  that  the  prisoner  Avas 
seen  leaving  the  town  at  dusk, — the  negro  following  close 
in  the  rear.  It  has  been  shown  by  the  testimony  of  such 
gentlemen  as  General  Bledsoe,  and  others  of  equal  moral 
veracity,  that  the  deceased  was  found  in  the  road,  his  neck 
broken,  and  with  all  the  corresponding  marks  of  a  fearful 
murder. 

"  Mr,  Mildmay,  the  owner  of  the  deceased,  states  dis- 
tinctly, that  the  victim  of  brutality  was  unesceptionable 
in  character ;  and  although  a  family  servant,  grown  up 
under  his  own  eye,  yet  no  recollection  was  had  that  the 
deceased  was  ever  struck  a  blow  for  insubordination,  or 
any  other  cause  of  disobedience  whatever.  In  view  of  all 
these  facts,  gentlemen,  it  is  for  you  to  vindicate  the  sin- 
cerity of  our  laws,  passed  for  the  protection  of  the  slave, 
and  show  those  who  are  willing  to  trample  them  under 
foot,  that  it  cannot  be  done  with  impunity.  Spurn  not 
the  cries  of  blood  that  come  from  the  ground,  because  that 
blood  flowed  from  the  heart  of  a  poor  African  slave.  Re- 
member that  the  eye  of  Heaven  is  no  respecter  of  persons ; 
feel  the  full  force  of  the  demand  made  upon  you,  from  the 
very  fact,  that  the  murdered  victim  was  helpless, — was 
unsupported, — had  no  family  influence, — no  position ;  that 
he  was  a  helpless,  unofieuding  ucgro  slave,  with  no  inherit- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  313 

ance,  but  a  desire  to  render  cheerful  obedience  to  his  su- 
periors; with  uo  one  to  avenge  his  wrongs,  but  the  de- 
cision of  a  conscientious  and  enlightened  jury." 

There  was  no  applause  expressed  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  district  attorney's  speech,  for,  as  Puckett  said  to  Bus- 
teed,  "  there  was  nothing  in  it  to  make  a  man  yelp." 
The  moment,  however,  that  it  was  announced  that  Major 
Trimmer  was  "  to  begin  the  defence,"  there  was  great 
excitement  among  the  spectators.  The  bar-room  of  the 
"Head-quarters"  was  vacated  in  a  moment  by  quite  a 
number  of  individuals  who  had  found  the  "prosecution 
tedious,"  but  who  were  very  anxious  to  hear  the  "  scath- 
ing eloquence"  of  '''  the  most  distinguished  criminal  lawyer 
in  the  district," 

It  was  perfectly  understood  that  the  major  would 
"  exalt  himself"  on  this  particular  occasion.  He  was  al- 
ways a  candidate  for  political  honors,  and,  as  in  law  prac- 
tice, was  always  on  either  one  side  or  another,  and  as  an 
election  was  near  at  hand,  he  had  expressed  to  an  intimate 
friend  the  opinion,  that  he  thought  he  might  take  advan- 
tage of  his  defence  of  Toadvine  to  say  something  so  hand- 
some of  the  overseers  as  a  body,  that  he  could  secure  their 
influence  at  the  polls. 

The  major  began  by  saying,  "  that  he  felt  deeply  the 
fearful  responsibility  resting  upon  him,  but  that  he  was 
afraid  that  his  astonishment  at  the  fact  of  his  client  being 
tried  at  all  for  killing  the  negro  Jack,  would  overcome 
Iti.s  nbility  to  di»  justice  to  the  mighty  wrongs  liis  client 
liad  suffered,  iu  this  unjust  and  absurd  prosecution." 
When  the  major  concluded  this  opening  .sentence,  Toad- 
14 


314  THE  mastkk's  house; 

vine  looked,  for  the  first  time  since  the  trial  began,  at  the 
jury. 

The  major  proceeded  : — "  If  I  were  left  to  consult  my 
own  feelings,  I  should  submit  my  injured  client's  cause 
without  argument  to  your  keeping ;  but,  honored  gentle- 
men, I  should  be  doing  injustice  to  society,  to  good  mor- 
als, and  to  the  rights  of  an  American  sovereign,  if  I  did 
not  here  before  this  honorable  court,  before  these  enlight- 
ened arbiters,  and  before  this  chivalrous  audience,  express 
my  opinion ;  and  in  my  of6.cial  capacity  as  a  member  of 
this  bar,  enter  my  protest  against  the  unnecessary  and  ex- 
traordinary legal  proceedings  which  have  been  made  to 
sacrifice  the  liberty  and  happiness  of  one  of  our  most  use- 
ful, and,  poor  man  though  he  be,  I  will  add,  one  of  oxu* 
most  influential  citizens. 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  jury,  who  is  my  client  ?  I  answer, 
a  person  I  have  long  known,  and  been  intimate  with ; 
an  individual,  who  forms  one  of  the  bright  galaxy  of  over- 
seers— those  noble  men,  who  control  our  servile  popula- 
tion,— who  brave  the  heats  of  a  tropical  sun  in  the  per- 
formance of  their  arduous  duties, — who  sleep  at  night 
beside  their  arms,  to  be  ready  to  defend  whom — them- 
selves ?  No,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  to  defend  their  em- 
ployers— the  lordly  planters — from  insubordination  and 
insurrection  ;  a  class  of  men,  who  risk  their  life  daily,  and 
take  a  sum  of  money  as  remuneration,  which  would  be  as 
nothing,  if  they  were  not  inspired  by  patriotism, — ^were 
not  philanthropists  by  trade  ;  of  such,  gentlemen,  is  Sylva- 
nus  Toadvine,  who  now  sits  before  you.  And  this  is  the 
man  possessed  of  so  many  admirable  (jualities,  who  has 


A    TALK    OF    SOUTIIEKN    LIFE.  315 

been  by  the  most  unwarrantable  legal  j^roceedings  incar- 
cerated iu  a  common  jail,  and  left  to  linger  out  a  miser- 
able existence,  for  what  ? — ^for  wliat,  I  say,  gentlemen  ? 
Simply,  because  a  dead  negro  was  found  in  the  same  road, 
that  my  respected  client  passed  over  on  his  way  to  Mr. 
Mildmay's  plantation. 

"  My  legal  brother,  the  district  attorney,  has  stated, 
that  it  was  proven  beyond  a  doubt,  that  a  negro  had  been 
killed.  Where  is  the  authority  for  such  a  presumption  ? 
It  has  been  shown  past  contradiction  that  a  negro  was 
dead,  which  negro,  as  I  shall  show,  probably  died  of  a  fatal 
disorder,  from  what  is  termed  a  natural  cause ;  and  no 
personal  violence  had  any  thing  to  do  with  the  ease. 

"Now  what  are  the  facts?  Simply  these.  The  de- 
fendant is  overseer  on  a  large  plantation ;  he  has  the  con- 
trol of  sixty  or  eighty  brutalized  Africans,  who  require 
his  constant  attention ;  he  has  contracted  with  their  mas- 
ter to  cultivate  a  certain  amount  of  land,  and  produce  a 
fixed  number  of  bales  of  cotton.  To  do  this,  and  escape 
losing  the  reputation  of  a  business  man,  the  overseer  labors 
night  and  day,  and  is  properly  intrusted  with  the  sole  con- 
trol and  management  of  the  slave  gang. 

"  The  overseer  knows  well  the  disposition  of  the  negro, 
and  while  the  master  is  treadmg,  with  dainty  steps,  his 
marble  halls,  the  faithful  overseer  is  windino-  his  devious 
way  through  interminable  swamps ;  while  the  master  is 
lounging  upon  the  delicate  ethereal  spring-made  ottoman, 
the  overseer  makes  his  couch  upon  the  hard,  cold  ground  ; 
while  the  master  is  indulging  in  the  delights  of  the  table 
groaning  beneath  the  luxuries  of  every  clime,  the  overseer 


316  THE    MASTERS    HOUSE  ; 

is  frugally  eating  Lis  meal  of  bacon  and  greens ;  while  the 
master  sees  his  negroes  fat,  sleek,  happy,  and  idle,  the 
overseer  beholds  them  as  the  necessary  objecte  of  strict 
discipline,  and  is  forced  to  make  them  do  their  work. 

"  Therefore,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  when  the  owner 
of  a  neoTO  comes  into  court,  and  under  oath  declares  that 
negro  to  have  been  without  a  fault, — to  have  been  well-be- 
haved and  harmless,  that  owner  acts  conscientiously,  be- 
lieves what  he  says,  speaks  what  he  thioks  is  true ;  but  the 
overseer,  gentlemen,  can  alone  know  the  facts, — one  vrord 
from  Col.  Price,  a  disinterested  and  capable  witness,  as  to 
the  outrageous  insubordination  of  the  deceased,  is  worth 
whole  volumes  of  presumption  from  the  good-natured,  and 
where  the  aifectious  are  concerned,  easily  deceived  master. 
Having  satisfied  you,  gentlemen  (as  a  mere  incident),  of 
the  savage  and  barbarous  character  of  this  negro,  Jack, 
for  it  is  not  necessary  for  me,  in  any  way  to  strengthen  the 
defence,  to  dwell  upon  the  subject,  I  will  examine  the  testi- 
mony adduced  for  the  attempted  proof,  that  he  died  by  the 
hands  of  my  injured  client. 

"It  is  stated  by  Mr.  Orcutt,  that  Mr.  Toadvine  left 
the  jail  with  Jack ;  and  two  respectable  witnesses  swear 
that  they  saw  a  man,  on  the  evening  of  '  the  murder,'  going 
out  of  Beechland,  a  negro  following  at  his  horse's  heels, 
v/ith  a  rope  tied  round  his  neck. 

"  Wall,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  1  have  had  some  prac- 
tice in  criminal  cases,  but  I  never  have  had  so  weak  a  one 
before  to  defend.  Mr.  Orcutt  says  that  the  boy  was  tied — 
of  course  he  was  tied, — was  Mr.  Toadvine  to  risk  his  life 
in  the  hands  of  a  desperate  and  dangerous  runaway,  armed 


A    TAT.K    OF   SOUTHERN    LIFK.  317 

with  a  '  bowie ; '  an  outlaw,  burning  with  revenge  because 
he  had  been  properly  punished, — was  he  to  risk  himself 
alone  in  the  dark  forests  that  lie  between  Beechland  and 
Heritage  Place,  with  such  a  negro,  except  that  negro 
were  bound — with  manacles  and  chains,  we  should  say  ? 
But  my  client,  from  his  urbane  disposition,  kindness  of 
heart,  and  unusual  bravery,  was  content  with  a  single 
cord. 

"  But  two  witnesses  swear  they  saw  a  man  going  out 
of  town,  with  a  negro  at  his  horse's  heels,  and  a  rope  around 
his  neck.  Gentlemen,  I  do  not  wish  to  impugn  the  mo- 
tives of  these  witnesses,  but  I  leave  it  to  your  imagina- 
tion to  comprehend,  how  distinctly  they  could  see  a  rope 
in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  and  also  to  decide,  if,  because 
a  man  went  out  of  Beechland,  as  these  witnesses  testify, 
it  must  necessarily  have  been  my  client,  or  the  insubordi- 
nate and  dangerous  Jack. 

"  The  district  attorney  has  dwelt  at  length  on  the  fact, 
that  the  law  announces  the  punishment  of  murder  for  killing 
a  negro ;  he  therefore  argues  that  if  the  crime  be  proved, 
the  law  should  be  executed.  Let  me  say,  gentlemen,  that 
these  laws,  so  inconsistent  with  our  feelings  and  our  insti- 
tutions, are  borrowed  from  the  common  law  of  England ; 
they  were  made  for  serfs,  not  independent,  enlightened 
Southern  men;  and  although  they  are  legally  living  on  our 
statute  books,  they  are  virtually  dead ;  repealed  by  the  su- 
periority of  our  enlightened  public  opinion,  by  custom,  and 
by  necessity.  - 

"  Suppose,  for  a  moment,  that  my  client  did  kill  Jack, 
is  the  law  such  an  absurdity ;  is  the  perfection  of  human 


318  THE  master's  house; 

reason  such  nonsense,  that  it  can,  in  one  breath,  make  the 
same  thing  a  chattel,  a  table,  a  wash-tub  5  and  in  the  next 
respiration,  declare  it  to  be  a  feeling,  reasoning,  sensible 
being  ?  If  my  supposition  were  true,  and  if  the  law  were 
consistent,  it  would  be  your  duty,  gentlemen,  to  bring  in  a 
verdict  of  damages.  Property  alone  has  been  destroyed — 
let  reparation  be  made.  This  construction  would  be  in 
accordance  with  equity,  and  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  of 
our  peculiar  institutions.  To  forfeit  the  life  of  a  white 
man,  a  sovereign  citizen,  for  a  miserable  piece  of  property 
that  is  bought  and  sold,  put  up  at  auction,  bartered  away, 
has  no  rights,  is  by  law  real  estate — is  the  sublime  of  ab- 
surdity, and  makes  men  of  sense  pronounce  a  trial  like  this 
to  be  indeed  a  farce. 

"  It  is  not  true,  gentlemen,  that  a  law  is  a  law,  because 
it  is  upon  the  statute  book.  The  same  law  that  in  England 
is  construed  to  mean  murder  in  the  &st  degree,  when 
brought  before  our  enlightened  courts,  and  our  independ- 
ent juries,  is  translated  to  be  '  justifiable  homicide.'  In 
this  country  public  opinion  controls  and  governs  the  con- 
duct of  all  men,  and  we  are  forced  to  act  in  obedience  to 
its  potential  voice,  whatever  law  to  the  contrary  may  ex- 
ist. You  will  pardon  me,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  for  this 
digression,  and  coming  back  to  the  trial  under  considera- 
tion, I  shall  endeavor  to  treat  it  with  all  due  solemnity,  and 
at  least  to  go  through  the  forms  of  a  defence,  however  vai- 
necessary  it  may  be. 

"  My  client  did  tic  a  rope  around  the  boy  Jack,  and 
why  ?  Because  he  was  afraid,  unless  he  had  him  in  the  most 
complete  manner  in  his  poAvcr,  he  would  slay  him  before 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  819 

lie,  Toadvine,  readied  bis  home.  Can  you  not  imat^ine, 
gentlemen,  a  thousand  ways  in  which  the  negro  could  have 
been  killed,  while  in  this  condition,  by  his  own  self-will, 
his  own  insubordination  ?  "Would  it  be  an  unnatural  thino- 
in  negro  history,  to  suppose  that  this  'amiable  Jack'  de- 
signedly held  back,  determined  to  die  rather  than  return 
to  the  plantation  ?  Can  you  not  imagine  Mr.  Toadvine's 
liorso,  which  was  young  and  fractious,  suddenly  taking 
alarm,  and  dragging  the  negro  to  the  earth,  when  it  was 
entirely  beyond  my  client's  power  to  anticipate  such  an 
accident,  or  control  it  when  it  occurred  ?  But,  gentlemen, 
this  was  not  all, — death  is  not  such  a  rare  occurrence 
among  negroes,  that  when  one  dies  he  must  necessarily 
have  been  murdered.  Mr.  Orcutt  clearly  testifies  that 
there  was  cholera  among  the  prisoners,  and  could  not  Jack, 
with  his  bowie  knife,  have  cut  himself  loose  from  the  rope 
he  was  tied  with,  and  by  sudden  exposure  to  the  night 
air,  after  his  previous  comfortable  lodgment  in  the  jail, 
died  upon  the  road  from  the  eJBfects  of  this  prostrating 
disease  ? 

"  But,  gentlemen,  I  perceive  that  I  am  wasting  your 
precious  time  by  my  unnecessary  remarks,  yet  I  must,  be- 
fore I  close,  allude  to  one  extraordinary  appeal,  made  to 
you  by  the  district  attorney.  Not  content  to  take  every  ad- 
vantage of  the  technicalities  of  the  law,  to  prejudice  you 
against  the  prisoner,  he  has  threatened  you  with  the  in- 
dignation of  '  the  fanatics  of  the  North,'  as  a  penalty  for 
lotting  the  innocent  go  free.  I  am  shocked  at  such  a  sen- 
timent, uttered  by  a  Southern  lawyer  to  a  chivalrous  South- 
ern jury.     What  care  we  for  the  '  favorable  opinion  of  the 


320  THE  master's  house  ; 

good  people  of  the  North,'  as  my  legal  brother,  in  a  mo- 
ment of  unguarded  reflection,  has  called  the  '  abolition 
fanatics  of  the  free  States  ? '  If  they  demand  punishment 
upon  my  client,  then  you  have  a  just  cause  for  letting  him  go 
free ;  if  he  had  killed  a  hundred  negroes,  our  liberties,  our 
religion,  our  all  are  in  danger,  the  moment  we  make  the 
least  concession  to  the  enemies  of  our  cherished  institu- 
tions. 

"  Grentlemen,  I  leave  my  client  in  your  hands ;  you 
have  the  noble,  the  exalted,  the  majestic  right,  to  unloose 
the  hold  of  justice  upon  him ;  you  can  open  his  prison 
doors,  and  bid  him  go  free.  Restore  him,  gentlemen,  to 
his  exalted  position  in  society  as  a  citizen.  Remember, 
that  the  blind  goddess  of  Justice  is  looking  down  upon 
you,  anxiously  waiting  to  see  you  vindicate  her  purity, — 
that  the  Angel  of  Liberty  has  her  pen  in  hand,  ready  to 
inscribe  upon  the  stars  and  stripes,  that  Toadvine  and  our 
country  are  free, — that  the  American  eagle  is  standing 
upon  the  apex  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  with  outstretched 
wings,  one  eye  bent  upon  this  interesting  scene,  and  the 
other,  unblenched,  staring  at  the  noonday  sun,  ready  in 
his  exalted  flight  to  scream,  '  Give  me  liberty,  or  give  me 
death ! ' " 

Great  and  continuous  cheering  by  the  jury  and  audience 
now  interrupted  the  major,  who  bowed  repeatedly  to 
his  admirers,  and  in  a  satisfied  and  oracular  voice,  he  con- 
cluded : 

"  Before  you  retire,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  the  honored 
Court  will  give  you  the  visual  charge ;  you  will  hear  the 
law  expounded,  sanctioned  by  the  '  sacred  ermine,'  so  long 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  321 

sanctified  as  the  outward  symbol  of  the  unsullied  purity 
of  the  law. — [Here  the  judge  smoothed  down  his  Arkansas 
blanket  coat.] — Your  verdict  I  already  anticipate;  confident 
of  acquittal,  I  leave  my  respected  client  in  your  disposal." 

The  moment  that  the  applause  called  forth  by  Major 
Trimmer's  eloquence  had  ceased,  the  shcrifi"  vociferously 
called  out  order,  order;  and  then  taking  a  lounging  negro 
by  the  shoulder,  rudely  thrust  him  out  of  doors,  to  show 
his  vigilance  in  the  public  welfare ;  this  being  done,  the 
"  ermine  "  delivered  itself  as  follows  : 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  jury,  you  have  heard  the  testimony 
on  both  sides  of  this  case,  and  " — here  the  "  ermine  " 
yawned,  and  then  went  on  :  "  if  you  think  the  prisoner 
guilty,  you  will  bring  in  a  verdict  accordingly ;  if  you  think 
him  innocent,  you  will  bring  in  a  verdict  accordingly  ! " — 
the  remainder  of  the  "  charge  "  became  so  indistinct,  that  the 
jurors,  presuming  that  the  "  ermine  "  had  concluded,  headed 
by  the  sheriff,  left  their  seats,  and  in  a  moment  more  could 
be  heard,  in  shuffling  sounds,  overhead. 

The  moment  the  "  twelve  honest  men  "  were  left  to 
themselves,  for  deliberation,  they  proceeded  at  once  to 
elect  a  "  foreman,"  which  being  done,  a  general  conversa- 
tion ensued,  about  crops,  races,  hard  seats  in  the  jury  bos, 
and  Major  Trimmer's  speech.  It  was  generally  agi-ced 
that  it  was  one  of  his  tamest  efforts,  and  this  was  ac- 
counted for  by  the  fact,  "  that  the  trial  being  only  about  a 
nigger,  didn't  call  forth  his  best  style."  A  "  piney  woods' 
man  "  remarked,  that  he  had  shot  a  great  many  eagles, 
but  he  didn't  see  how  one  of  them  could  look  down  and 


14* 


322  THE  master's  house; 

upward  at  the  same  time,  but  he  s'posed  Major  Trimmer's 
bird  "was  cross-eyed." 

Buatt,  who  had  been  exceedingly  restless  throughout 
the  whole  trial,  and  had  not  hesitated  to  express  it  in  every 
allowable  way,  now  that  he  was  in  the  jury-room,  where 
he  could  speak,  deliberately  took  off  his  overcoat,  and 
folding  it  up  for  a  pillow,  stretched  himself  out  upon  a 
bench,  remarking,  "  You  know  my  sentiments, — I'm  for 
hanging  the  jviry,  I  don't  care  how  your  verdict  is  ! "  and  in 
a  few  moments  he  fell  into  a  profound  slumber. 

The  foreman  said  there  was  no  use  of  going  down 
stairs  immediately,  that  it  would  look  better  to  appear  to 
deliberate  awhile,  at  least ;  and  he  started  a  very  animated 
conversation  about  the  coming  election,  in  which  the  dif- 
ferent members  of  the  jury  entered  warmly,  and  freely  ex- 
pressed their  opinions  of  the  "  prominent  candidates." 

The  sun  had  gone  down,  and  as  most  of  the  jurors  had 
become  thirsty,  it  was  decided  to  take  down  the  verdict  of 
"  not  guilty,"  which  was  agreed  upon,  without  any  formal 
consultation ;  but  there  was  the  stubborn  Buatt,  ready  to 
differ  with  his  eleven  compeers,  no  matter  how  they  de- 
cided, and  who,  if  not  managed,  might  keep  them  prison- 
ers, at  the  mercy  of  the  judge. 

The  foreman  finally  struck  upon  a  bright  idea ;  he 
told  all  to  say  they  were  for  "guilty,"  and  then  waking 
up  Buatt,  that  worthy  was  informed  that  the  jury  had 
'^agreed."  "How?"  asked  Buatt,  still  half  asleep. 
"Guilty!"  was  the  universal  exclamation.  "  Well,  I'm 
'  not  guilty,' "  said  Buatt,  turning  over  to  take  another 
nap.     The  foreman  then  said,  "  Here,  Buatt,  put  down 


A    TALE    OP    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  323 

your  name  to  '  not  guilty,'  and  let's  go  down  and  tell  tbo 
judge  we  are  liung."  Buatt  readily  consented,  and  signed 
his  name  to  the  verdict  as  requested,  whereupon  the  fore- 
man suddenly  exclaimed  : 

"  Gentlemen,  thar's  no  use  a-staying  here  all  night, — 
let's  go  over  to  Buatt's  side,  and  get  done  with  the  busi- 
ness." The  proposition  was  instantly  agreed  to,  and  a 
general  laugh  ensued  at  Buatt's  expense.  At  first,  ho 
was  quite  indignant,  but  soon  became  reconciled ;  and  as 
the  jury  was  going  to  report  to  the  "  ermine,"  he  said, 
"  If  you  hadn't  played  that  trick  on  me,  I  intended  to 
keep  you  tied  up  for  three  days ;  there's  the  bread  and 
cheese  I  had  to  do  it  on,"  and  he  pointed  to  a  large  pack- 
age that  protruded  from  his  coat  pocket. 

The  moment  the  jury  retired.  Gen.  Bledsoe  was  seen 
moving  about  on  the  outside  of  the  court-house.  He  had 
private  consultations  with  diiferent  persons;  and  as  the 
sun  disappeared,  a  number  of  armed  men  might  have  been 
seen  stationed  at  different  points, — all  appearing  intent  on 
some  special  object.  Two  were  side  by  side,  and  as  they 
examined  their  double-barrel  fowling-pieces,  one  remarked, 
"  There  cannot  be  a  doubt  but  that  the  jury  will  bring  in 
a  verdict  of  not  guilty,  but  we  will  teach  him  that  there's 
law  outside  the  com-t-house,  if  there  is  none  in  it." 

The  increasing  darkness  had  settled  upon  the  court- 
room,— the  two  or  three  candles  that  were  burning  only 
gave  a  sepulchral  effect  to  the  many  spectators,  who  in 
silent  groups  remained  to  see  the  end,  for  it  was  rumored 
that  Toadvine  was  "  to  be  lynched,"  if  let  off  by  the  jury. 
The   prisoner   maintained   his   place   beside  his  counsel. 


324  THE  master's  house  ; 

still  wearing  that  marked  blanket  coat ;  and  he  occasion- 
ally looked  out  of  doors  -witli  nervous  apprehension.  It 
was  evidently  from  that  quarter  that  he  apprehended 
danger. 

Presently  there  was  a  movement  of  the  jury  overhead, 
and  its  members  could  be  heard  descending  the  stairs, 
which  gave  the  usual  signal  that  the  jury  had  agreed 
upon  a  verdict.  Every  body  commenced  crowding  round 
the  judge's  stand,  and  universal  confusion  prevailed.  The 
jury  appeared,  and  after  the  usual  preliminaries,  each 
member  answered  "  not  guilty,"  as  his  name  was  called 
by  the  clerk.  This  done,  "the  ermine"  complimented 
the  jury  on  its  attention,  and  the  high-toned  manner  with 
which  it  had  conducted  itself, — announced  it  "dis- 
charged ; "  and  declared  the  prisoner  free.  Amid  a  great 
deal  of  confusion,  a  shout  went  up  from  the  crowd ;  Gen. 
Bledsoe  heard  the  offensive  noise, — knew  what  it  meant, 
and  gnashed  his  teeth  in  anger  "  Now,"  said  he,  to  some 
persons  near  him,  "  let  us  vindicate  the  outraged  laws." 

Every  one  now  moved  but  the  late  prisoner;  there  he  sat, 
from  his  dress  the  most  conspicuous  person  in  the  court-house, 
as  if  overcome  with  emotion ;  he  stirred  not,  but  burying 
his  face,  remained  statue-like  and  still.  Soon  the  self-con- 
stituted arbiters  of  the  law,  who  were  hovering  outside  in 
the  darkness,  became  impatient  for  their  prey,  and  some, 
unable  longer  to  restrain  their  fury,  amidst  terrible  oaths 
and  imprecations,  rushed  into  the  court-room,  to  seize  him 
where  he  sat,  when,  lo  and  behold !  instead  of  the  sinis- 
ter face  of  Toadvine,  there  was  revealed  the  honester  one 
of  Puckett ! 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  325 

In  the  confvision  of  the  giving  in  of  the  verdict,  Toad- 
vine,  who  had  throughout  acted  under  Major  Trimmer's 
instructions,  had  shed  his  coat,  slipped  unpcrceived  through 
the  cordon  of  his  enemies,  and  at  that  very  moment,  was 
swiftly  speeding  down  the  rapid  current  of  the  Mississippi. 


326  THE  master's  house  ; 


CHAPTER  XXVIl. 

AN     AMERICAN     WEAKNESS. 

The  resignation  of  a  member  "  elect"  of  the  Legislature, 
caused  an  unexpected  election  to  be  held  to  supply  the 
vacancy.  Col.  Lee,  being  a  Vii'ginian,  and  coming,  as  he 
often  remarked,  from  the  only  State  in  the  Union  that 
made  "  politics  a  business,"  of  course  took  a  deep  in- 
terest in  "public  affairs;"  and  as  he  could  not  get  from 
the  people  a  nomination  for  himself,  he  determined,  as  a 
compliment  to  his  friend  Mr,  Moreton  to  obtain  for  that 
gentleman  the  distinguished  honor. 

Mr.  Moreton  was  highly  respected,  but  was  not  in  the 
popular  sense  a  "  favorite  with  the  masses."  He  was 
eccentric  in  his  humors,  and,  from  long  habit,  accustomed 
to  indulge  in  any  caprice  of  feeling  uppermost  in  his 
mind,  consequently,  he  had  the  reputation  of  being  very 
proud ;  and  his  occasionally  amiable,  and  probably  his 
natural  manner,  was  regarded  with  suspicion  by  those  who 
had  become  prejudiced  by  his  frequent  displays  of  insensi- 
bility and  hauteur.  But  Mr.  Moreton  was  wealthy,  and 
Lee  had  a  Virginian  theory,  that  every  thing  could  bo 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  327 

carried  at  the  polls  by  a  judicious  use  of  money ;  and  after 
some  difficulty  succeeded,  to  the  surprise  of  every  body 
but  those  iu  the  secret,  to  have  Mr.  Moreton  declared  the 
choice  of  "  the  party  ! " 

It  required  all  Col.  Lee's  eloquence  to  induce  Mr. 
Moreton  to  become  a  candidate;  but  his  pride  and  his 
ambition  were  wrought  upon,  and  with  the  understanding 
that  Mr.  Moreton's  friends  were  to  do  all  the  electioneer- 
ing, the  selected  candidate  was  declared  "  duly  in  the 
field."  On  the  Saturday  succeeding  these  events,  Mr. 
Moreton's  name  appeared  in  large  type  in  the  columns  of 
the  Southern  Clarion,  with  a  highly  laudatory  editorial 
notice. 

The  election  was  to  be  what  was  called  a  "  short  brush," 
and  the  "  Moreton  party"  entered  at  once  upon  their  ar- 
duous duties.  Busteed,  and  his  hangers-on,  immediately 
rose  into  popularity.  Loafers,  who  had  not  been  known 
to  have  a  cent  for  months,  were  in  the  streets  spending 
money,  and  "working"  for  Moreton;  and  one  or  two 
"  awful  republicans,"  who  had  made  it  their  business  for 
years  to  denounce  Moreton  "as  a  stuck-up  aristocrat, 
who  hated  poor  men,  and  tried  to  run  over  them,  because 
he  owned  a  hundred  niggers,"  suddenly  became  convinced 
that  they  were  mistaken;  and  they  felt  it  a  matter 'of  sim- 
ple justice,  and  in  "  honor  bound,"  to  give  Mr.  Moreton 
their  cordial  support. 

Now  the  "representative  district"  had  an  extraordi- 
nary geographical  pecidiarity.  It  was  a  long  narrow  belt 
of  land,  bounded  in  front  by  the  Mississippi, — in  the  rear, 
by  a  "  dry  river."     The  lauds  fronting  upon  the  "  Father 


328  THE  master's  house  ; 

of  waters "  were  rich  and  fertile  beyond  comparison,  and 
were  taken  up  by  large  plantations,  and  possessed  of 
course  but  few  white  inhabitants,  the  population  being 
mostly  negroes.  The  lands  shelving  toward  "  dry  river  " 
were  '  piny  woods,"  and  densely  occupied  by  poor  white 
men,  who,  owning  but  few  servants,  were  obliged  to  work 
themselves. 

The  "  opposition,"  therefore,  conceived  the  idea,  that 
as  the  defeat  of  Mr.  Moreton  under  the  circumstances  was 
almost  hopeless,  (there  not  being  time  to  bring  the  proper 
influences  to  bear,)  the  best  thing  that  could  be  done  was 
to  bring  out  a  "  Green  River  candidate  ;"  set  him  going 
with  the  cry  of  "  the  poor  man's  friend,"  and  the  "  piny 
woods  pony,"  and  let  him  "  rip,"  as  some  of  the  boys 
said,  who  liked  the  fun  of  the  contest,  without  caring  for 
the  result. 

To  carry  out  this  design,  a  man  living  in  "  Possum 
Hollow,"  by  the  name  of  Duffy  White,  who  was  the  father 
of  a  large  family,  miserably  poor  and  ignorant,  but  self- 
conceited,  and  who  from  the  habit  of  using  large  words  with- 
out knowing  the  meaning  of  them,  was  considered  a  great 
man  in  his  region  of  country, — was  declared  an  "  inde- 
pendent candidate,"  who  would  run  without  regard  to 
clicjue^,  "  chickenry,"  or  mercenary  influences.  This  de- 
cided upon,  Dufiy  White's  name  was  sent  to  the  Southern 
Clarion  for  publication,  which  caused  the  editor  much 
embarrassment. 

The  difficulty  lay  in  this :  if  the  editor  of  the 
local  paper  had  any  sentiment  whatever,  it  was  to  hate 
rich  men ;  and  although  he  was  constantly  lending  him- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIEHX    LIFE. 


329 


self  to  elevate  them,  and  sustain  their  sway  in  the  commu- 
nity, still  it  was  a  heartless  support,  and  bought  for  a 
price.  Lee  had  delicately  sent  to  him  a  note,  inclosing  a 
fifty  dollar  bill,  in  which  he  stated,  that  he  did  not  expect 
him  (the  editor)  to  occupy  his  columns  in  support  of  can- 
didates for  political  honors,  and  give  his  labor  without  just 
remuneration. 

On  the  other  hand,  DuiFy  White  had  his  sympathy 
simply  because  he  was  DuflFy  White,  and  also  because  a 
leading  member  elect  of  the  Legislature,  and  a  friend  of 
the  candidate  for  the  United  States  Senate,  had  of  course 
sent  the  editor  a  letter,  in  which  he  spoke  in  very  compli- 
mentary terms  of  the  Southern  Clarion,  and  suggested 
that  it  might  get  the  State  printing,  if  Duffy  White  could 
be  elected  :  Mr.  Moreton  was  known  to  be  friendly  to  a 
journal  printed  in  another  part  of  the  State.  The  editor 
of  the  Clarion  finally  pursued  his  usual  course  when 
deeply  puzzled;  he  went  over  to  the  <' Head-quarters," 
and  took  several  successive  "  drinks,"  and  after  getting 
his  ideas  sufficiently  conglomerated  to  write  himself  out  of 
the  difficulty,  he  dashed  off  the  following  notice,  and 
placed  it  in  his  most  valuable  columns. 

"  In  our  last  issue,  we  noticed  the  '  regular  nomina- 
tion' of  Peyton  Moreton,  Esq.,  as  candidate  for  the  vacant 
seat  in  the  Legislature.  At  that  time  we  were  not  aware 
that  Mr.  Moreton  would  have  an  opposing  candidate.  It 
will  be  seen,  by  reference  to  the  proper  column,  that 
Capt.  Duffy  White  has  consented  to  allow  his  name  to  be 
used  ;  and  we  understand  that  he  has  many  warm  friends 
and  admirers.     As  an  independent  journalist,  it  is  best, 


OoO  THE    MASTER  S    HOUSE  ; 

perhaps,  that  we  take  no  part  in  this  contest ;  both  gentle- 
men are  personally  known  and  honored  in  our  midst ;  and 
either,  if  elected,  will  serve  his  constituents  with  credit, 
and  worthily  represent  the  State."  This  editorial  was  read 
and  laughed  at ;  Mr.  Moreton  never  dreamed  of  any  serious 
opposition,  and  in  anticipation  of  his  election,  took  to 
studying  with  the  greatest  avidity  "  Jefferson's  Manual," 
and  arranging  his  ideas  on  the  subject  of  the  "  New  Con- 
stitution." 

A  few  days  only,  however,  had  passed  away  before  the 
scales  -began  to  fall  from  their  eyes.  A  United  States 
Senator  was  to  be  elected,  and  the  candidate  for  that 
office  knew  that  he  could  receive  no  suj)port  from  Mr. 
Moreton,  for  they  not  only  differed  in  politics,  but  were 
not  personally  friendly ;  but  having  plenty  of  money,  and 
determined,  if  possible,  to  be  elected,  he  sent  the  "  right 
kind  of  a  man  from  the  State  Capitol"  over  to  "Possum 
Hollow"  to  see  Duffy  White,  to  furnish  him  with  the 
"  sinews  of  war," — ^get  his  tickets  printed, — supply  his 
electors  with  whiskey,  and  slang  terms ;  and  before  Col. 
Lee  was  aware  of  it,  Duffy  White's  party  came  out  "  of 
the  woods,"  like  an  army  "  terrible  with  banners." 

A  clap  of  thunder  at  noonday  could  not  have  been 
more  unexpected  to  the  people  of  Beechland.  The  excite- 
ment was  immense.  Some  of  the  "  independent  voters," 
whom  Lee  had  apparently  secured  to  himself  by  a  shake  of 
the  hand,  or  the  loan  of  a  few  dollars,  began  to  stagger  in 
their  fealty,  and  the  "  sturdy  republicans,"  who  had  been  so 
suddenly  convinced  that  Mr.  Moreton  was  not  so  proud  a 
man  as  they  thought  him,  went  over  to  Duffy  White's 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  331 

side,  body  and  soul ;  acknowledging  privately,  that  they 
had  been  for  the  moment  influenced  by  improper  motives. 

The  shock  to  Mr.  Moreton  was  overwhelming.  He 
had,  against  his  wishes,  been  induced  to  run, — ^never 
dreaming  of  opposition ;  or,  if  defeated,  presumed  that  it 
would  be  by  some  opponent  worthy  of  his  steel,  and  the 
possibility  of  Duffy  White's  being  preferred  to  him  by  his 
fellow-citizens  as  a  representative,  stung  him  to  the  quick ; 
rou.scd  all  his  energy  and  all  his  bitterness ;  and  by 
the  advice  of  Lee,  he  got  out  an  old  carriage,  with  a 
couple  of  plough-horses  attached,  and  putting  on  home- 
si')un  clothes,  and  his  overseer's  hat,  he  started  out  seri- 
ously to  electioneer, — ^giving  his  confidential  lieutenants 
to  understand,  that  any  reasonable,  or  unreasonable, 
amount  of  money  was  at  their  command  to  keep  him  from 
being  disgraced.  The  season  of  the  year  was  fine;  the 
people  had  their  "  crops  laid  by,"  and  the  unexpected 
excitement  of  the  election  was  a  source  of  gratification  to 
all, — for  to  people  who  had  little  or  nothing  to  do,  it  gave 
pleasant  employment  to  body  and  mind. 

Ten  days  more,  and  the  result  would  be  known. 
Duffy  White,  it  was  evident,  had  secured  the  entire  sym- 
pathy of  his  neighborhood  constituents.  Hardly  a  man  in 
tke  "  piny  woods"  but  felt  that  he  was  bound  to  sustain  a 
candidate,  brought  out  in  compliment  to  "  the  toiling  mil- 
lions ; "  in  fact,  it  seemed  as  if  there  had  seized  upon  the 
community  a  sort  of  fascination,  and  Duffy  White — who 
made  a  mark  to  represent  his  name — who  was  even  igno- 
rant of  the  proper  use  of  the  simplest  words  of  his  native 


332  THE  mastek's  house; 

tongue,  was  likely  to  be  elected  to  the  responsible  office  of 
maker  and  conservator  of  tbe  laws. 

So  indefatigable  had  been  the  canvassers  on  both 
sides,  that  the  friends  of  the  two  candidates  had  procured 
the  names  of  voters  in  the  sparse  population  of  the 
county,  and  it  could  be  told  with  almost  unerring  cer- 
tainty how  would  stand  the  ballot.  The  consequence  was, 
that  Mr.  Moreton's  friends  discovered  that  a  few  votes 
might  decide  the  result ;  and  then  rose  into  sudden  notice 
a  "  genteel  gambler,"  by  the  name  of  Hickman,  who  could 
by  his  influence  on  certain  of  Busteed's  customers,  control 
some  eight  or  ten  of  the  "  independent  constituency." 
No  sooner  had  Col.  Lee  informed  himself  of  the  fact,  than 
he  immediately  saw  that  it  was  necessary  to  secure  Hick- 
man to  Mr.  Moreton's  interest ;  and  he  accordingly  set 
about  the  task. 

Meanwhile,  Mr.  Moreton,  who  was  of  the  most  excita- 
ble temperament,  was  wrought  up  to  the  highest  pitch  of 
disquietude.  He  wanted  the  thing  decided,  and  to  be  out 
of  his  agony.  Duffy  White  bestrode  him  night  and  day. 
He  became  disgusted  with  the  concessions  of  opinion  he 
had  to  make  to  people  he  despised, — of  affected  sympathy 
for  people  he  fairly  hated, — yet  he  was  kept  in  this  ter- 
rible slavery,  because  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  defeat 
Dufiy  White. 

"  D — ^n  Duffy  White  ! "  he  would  roar  out,  when  by 
himself  in  the  woods;  "d — ^n  Duffy  White!"  he  would 
exclaim  in  the  sacred  precincts  of  his  own  fireside. 

Mrs.  Moreton  never  interfered  with  her  husband's 
plans,  except  to  give  them  her  cordial  indorsement ;  but 


A    TALK    OF    SOLTflEUN    LIFK.  333 

she  became  absolutely  alarmed  at  Mr.  Morcton's  intense 
feeling,  and  for  the  first  time  in  the  many  years  of  her 
married  life, — made  a  suggestion. 

She  urged  Mr.  Moreton  to  treat  this  horrid  Duflfy 
White  as  he  deserved — "  treat  him,"  said  she,  "  with 
sovereign  contempt ;  and,  by  resigning,  put  it  out  of  the 
power  of  vulgar  people  to  affect  your  happiness,  or  for  one 
moment  destroy  your  peace."  But  Mr.  Moreton  had 
become  infected  with  the  idea  of  office, — to  be  a  member 
of  the  Legislature, — a  position  he  had  always  ridiculed 
and  scoffed  at,  suddenly  became  important  for  his  welfare, 
and  writhing,  as  he  was,  in  the  mud  and  mire  of  political 
chicanery,  he  allowed  himself  to  be  hurried  on. 

Hickman  was  a  sensitive  person,  and  loved  popularity ; 
and  finding  himself  cut  off  by  his  "professional  pursuits" 
from  such  society  as  he  most  admired,  he  took  pleasure  iu 
courtmg  the  good  will  of  that  class  of  idlers  who  hang 
about  bar-rooms,  in  every  decaying  town ;  and  as  he  seem- 
ingly ga'^e  much,  and  demanded  little  in  return,  he  thus 
found  himself  unexpectedly  honored  with  the  disposition 
of  a  certain  number  of  his  admirers'  votes.  It  had  always 
been  Hickman's  darling  ambition  to  become  acquainted 
with  Col.  Lee ;  and  when  that  gentleman,  after  passing  him 
by  iu  silent  contempt  for  years,  met  him,  and  shook  him 
by  the  hand,  and  expressed  a  great  interest  in  his  welfare 
and  happiness,  Hickman  was  shrewd  enough  to  under- 
stand the  cause  of  his  sudden  popularity,  and  at  once 
determined  to  make  the  best  possible  use  of  it  for  his  own 
advantage. 

Mildmay,  without  ever  having  spoken  to  Hickman,  had 


334  THE  master's  house; 

in  some  way  mortally  offended  him  ;  and  as  he,  Hickman, 
possessed  a  mean  spirit,  and  wanted  to  win  the  reputation 
of  a  "  fighting  man,"  he  came  to  the  singular  determi- 
nation that  it  would  be  a  source  of  great  glory  to  chal- 
lenge Mildmay,  and  thus,  without  running  any  danger, 
receive  the  consideration  so  universally  (as  he  supposed) 
bestowed  upon  a  professed  duellist. 

Hickman  had  often  overheard  Col.  Lee  speak  in  no 
respectful  terms  of  what  he  called  Mr.  Mildmay's  cour- 
age ;  it  had  become  a  kind  of  prevalent  idea  that  Mildmay 
was  principled  against  duelling.  But,  since  the  trial, 
Mildmay's  strict  attention  to  business, — his  love  of  books, 
his  conscientious  discharge  of  every  duty  as  a  citizen, — 
his  interference  on  one  or  two  occasions  as  a  peacemaker 
between  parties  who  had  difficulties, — his  intense  desire  to 
leave  Toadvine  to  be  punished  by  the  written  law,  rather 
than  by  violence, — ^his  condemnation,  by  example,  of  in- 
temperance,— all  these  things  had  gradually  caused  him 
to  be  looked  upon  as  one  "  destitute  of  spirit,"  as  "  lack- 
ing chivalry ;  "  and  he  became  in  popular  estimation  a  rich 
but  utterly  ruined  man,  from  the  force  of  an  unfortunate 
"  Northern  education." 

With  the  determination  on  the  part  of  Hickman  to 
make  the  most  out  of  his  sudden  acquaintance  with  Mr. 
Moreton,  he  met  Col.  Lee's  advances  with  coldness ;  and 
it  was  not  until  he  had  been  out  to  Mr.  Moreton's  house, 
that  he  allowed  himself  to  be  formally  approached  with 
regard  to  the  coming  political  struggle.  After  a  sump- 
tuous dinner,  and  the  use  of  much  wine,  the  subject  of 
the  election  was  flatly  broached,  and  the  proud  and  digui- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  335 

fied  Mr.  Morcton,  in  the  excitement  of  the  moment,  condc- 
bccndcd  to  ask  Hickman  for  his  support. 

But  Hickman  had  determined  to  have  his  pound  of 
flesh.  It  was  a  pleasure  to  him  to  see  those  begging  and 
suing  for  his  influence  who  had  so  long  and  so  lately 
passed  him  unheeded  by ;  and  after  enjoying  this  triumph 
to  his  heart's  content,  he  coldly  told  Mr.  Moreton  of  his 
feelings  toward  Mildmay, — dwelt  upon  the  supposed  in- 
sults he  had  received  from  that  young  man, — and  de- 
manded, as  the  only  price  that  could  be  paid  for  his  votes, 
that  Mr.  Moreton  would  the  next  day  take  from  him, 
Hickman,  a  challenge  to  the  owner  of  Heritage  Place. 

Although  of  late  there  had  sprung  up  between  Mr. 
Moreton  and  Mildmay,  some  coolness,  yet  had  Hickman 
proposed  to  Mr.  Moreton  such  a  thing,  as  being  his  second 
on  the  day  before  his  nomination  for  office,  Mr.  Moreton 
would  probably  have  chastised  Hickman  on  the  spot,  but 
on  the  present  occasion,  his  astonishment  at  the  imperti- 
nence of  Hickman,  and  his  fear  for  the  moment  to  ofiend 
him,  kept  him  silent ;  and  for  the  first  time  in  his  life,  he 
felt  humbled  in  his  own  imperial  heart. 

Hickman  bore  the  suspense  of  Mr.  Moreton's  indeci- 
sion with  the  same  blank  look  that  he  would  have  assumed, 
had  he  staked  his  all  on  the  turning  of  a  card,  and  in  this 
his  professional  pursuits  had  given  him  a  manner  that  was 
now  of  service. 

"  I'll  think  of  this ! "  said  Mr.  Moreton,  finally  moving 
away.  "  I'll  thmk  of  this  ! "  he  repeated,  and  turning  to 
Hickman,  he  continued :  "  Col.  Lee  will  give  you  my  an- 
swer in  the  morning." 


336  THE    MASXEU'S    HOUSE; 

"  Master  ! "  said  the  servant,  presenting  herself  Avith  a 
silver  salver,  containing  some  minute  but  fragrant  cups  of 
coffee  and  Havana  cigars — "  Master,  the  gentleman  has 
gone  without  his  coffee." 

Mr.  Moreton  was  pacing  hurriedly  up  and  down  the 
gallery ;  he  was  very  fond  of  coffee,  and  for  the  first  time 
in  years,  when  in  health,  he  waved  it  away,  and  continued 
his  agitated  strides.  Lee,  however,  helped  himself,  and 
after  slowly  drinking  the  delicious  beverage,  he  took  up  a 
cigar,  and  telling  the  girl  to  bring  him  a  light,  sat  com- 
posedly down.  In  a  few  moments  the  smoke  was  curling 
around  his  head.  Meanwhile  Mr.  Moreton  passed  and  re- 
passed before  him,  resembling,  in  his  agitation,  and  in  the 
mechanical  certainty  of  his  steps,  a  lion  exercising  in  his 
cage. 

"  Lee ! "  said  Mr.  Moreton,  finally — "  Lee !  by  heaven, 
sir,  this  is  insufferable !  I'm  badgered  by  that  scoundrel, 
Duffy  White,  and  bearded  in  my  own  den,  by  a  miserable 
blackleg,  that  should  be  hung  up  to  the  first  tree." 

"  It's  bad,  Moreton ! "  returned  Lee,  in  an  affected 
voice;  "  but  it's  nothing  after  all.  Take  the  challenge," 
he  continued ;  "  Hickman  is  an  arrant  coward,  and  Mild- 
may  is  too  psalm-singing,  and  too  much  of  a  gentleman  to 
accept  it;  we'll  keep  the  thing  on  the  tapis  until  after  the 
election,  get  Hickman's  votes,  and  then  let  him  go  to  (he 

d 1,  or  what  is  just  the  same,  make  him  and  Mildmay 

shake  hands,  and  say  no  more  about  the  matter." 

"  If  I  thought,"  replied  Mr.  Moreton,  chocking  his 
strides,  "  if  I  thought  I  should  in  anyway,  by  thi:^  matter, 
compromise  myself;  if  I  thought  Mildmay  would  look  upon 


A    TALE    OK    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  337 

my  conduct  as  I  do,  I'd  stop  here,  and  vote  for  Duffy 
White  myself,  before  I  would  secure  my  seat  by  such 
means." 

"  But  Mildmay  won't  think  about  it  as  you  do  !"  said 
Col,  Lee.  "  He  will  receive  the  challenge,  ask  to  have  an 
explanation  made  to  Hickman  (for  Mildmay  has  never  in- 
tentionally offended  hiui),  and  you  will  make  Mildmay  feel 
obliged  for  acting  in  the  matter,  and  if  Hickman  ever  says 
any  thing  offensive,  I  will,  myself,  chastise  his  imperti- 
nence." 

"  I'll  have  nothing  to  do  with  it,"  said  Mr.  Moreton,  after 
a  long  hesitation — "  nothing  to  do  with  it.  I  am  ashamed," 
he  continued,  "  that  I  consented  to  run  for  an  office  which 
cannot  be  obtained  without  so  many  sacrifices.  I  abandon 
the  contest,  and  leave  the  arena  of  politics  until  gentlemen 
can  appear  upon  it,  and  be  respected." 

Col,  Lee  knew  the  disposition  of  Mr.  Moreton  too  well 
to  argue  with  him  after  he  had  come  to  a  determination ; 
ho  therefore  rose  to  depart,  when,  just  at  the  moment,  there 
appeared  at  the  gate  the  well-known  Col.  Price.  The 
overseer  was  a  "  piney  woods  man,"  and  was  much  relied 
upon  by  Mr.  Moreton,  for  his  influence  with  that  class  of 
people;  the  consequence  was,  that  ever  since  the  contest 
began,  the  overseer,  on  the  pretence  of  attending  to  politi- 
cal interests,  had  neglected  the  more  important  ones  of  the 
plantation ;  and  he  had  jiifet  returned  from  Beechland,  with 
the  latest  news. 

Out  of  breath,  a  little  intoxicated,  and  much  excited; 
he  gave  a  history  of  his  torn-  among  the  people  on  Green 
River,  and  related  many  anecdotes  illustrative  of  the  "  un- 
15 


338  'i'HE    MASTER  S    HOUSE  ; 

fair  means "  used  to  prejudice  the  people  against  Mr, 
Moreton,  He  related,  among  other  things,  that  there  had 
been  "  an  extra  "  printed  and  circulated,  that  represented 
Mr.  Moreton  as  a  man  that  wouldn't  let  his  overseers,  or 
any  other  poor  men,  come  into  his  presence,  imless  they 
held  their  hats  iu  their  hands,  and  behaved  like  niggers ; 
that  he  would  not  allow  said  poor  men,  particularly  "  if 
they  were  from  the  piney  woods,"  to  sit  down  at  his  table, 
but  rudely  drove  them  away  from  his  house,  or  if  particu- 
larly kind,  would  send  them  to  the  negro  quarters,  to  get 
something  to  eat !  It  was  furthermore  asserted,  that  he 
had  started  on  an  electioneering  tour,  with  a  suit  of  clothes 
on  he  had  borrowed  from  his  overseer ;  that  he  had  a  sil- 
ver cup  and  "  old  brandy,"  to  treat  the  "  aristocracy " 
with,  and  a  gourd  and  "  sixteen  cent  whiskey,"  for  the 
common  people ;  and  finally  and  lastly,  that  Mr.  Moreton's 
body  servant,  who  accompanied  him  iu  his  travels  round 
the  parish,  was  present,  merely  to  do  the  shaking  hands 
with  the  poor  folks,  he,  Mr.  Moreton,  bemg  afraid  to  do  it 
himself,  lest  he  would  get  the  itch,  or  some  other  contami- 
nation. 

In  conclusion.  Col.  Price  (who  had  really  gone  out  frol- 
icking around,  without  regard  to  Mr.  Moreton's  interests), 
pretended,  or  did  believe,  that  if  Mr.  Moreton  could  se- 
cure a  certain  named  number  of  votes  at  the  Beechland 
precinct,  his  election  was  certaio^  in  fact,  Dufty  \Thite  ac- 
knowledged to  him  (Col.  Price),  that  such  was  the  case. 

The  political  thermom<*ter  in  Mr.  INIoreton's  breast,  now 
rose  again ;  with  Lee  he  looked  over  the  prepared  list  of  votes, 
and  Hickman's  ten  ballots  placed  the  election  beyond  a  doubt. 


A.    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  339 

Hickman  gained, — triumph  was  sure.  Moreton  hesitated, 
argued,  took  a  favorable  view  of  the  challenge,  began  to 
think  it  was  nothing  serious  after  all,  a  mere  whim  of 
Hickman's, — that  Milduiay  would  forget  it  in  a  few  days — 
that  any  thing  unpleasant  could  be  reconciled  at  the  dinner 
which  Mr.  Moreton  proposed  to  give,  to  celebrate  his  elec- 
tion ;  and  the  end  was,  that  Lee  left  for  Beechland,  with 
the  understanding  that  he  would  prepare  a  respectful  chal- 
lenge for  Hickman,  get  that  gentleman's  name  signed  to  it, 
bring  it  out  the  next  da3'^  to  jMr.  Moreton,  who  would  de- 
liver it  to  Mildmay,  and  leave  it  take  its  course. 

Mildmay  Avas  so  busy  attending  to  his  planting  inter- 
ests, that  he  had  only  heard  by  accident,  that  there  was  to 
be  an  election,  and  that  Mr.  Moreton  was  the  candidate. 
It  was  his  intention  therefore,  at  a  stated  time,  to  ride  over 
with  Annie  to  Mr.  Moreton's  house,  and  talk  with  him  on 
the  subject;  he  was,  therefore,  not  surprised  the  next 
day,  when  he  saw  IMr.  Moreton  coming  toward  Heritage 
Place,  and  supposing  the  gentleman  was  upon  the  business 
of  the  canvass,  Mildmay  met  him  at  the  gate,  and  warmly 
welcomed  him  into  the  house. 

The  more  Mildmay  talked,  the  more  moody  became 
Mr.  Moreton ;  the  interview  soon  settled  down  chilly  and 
ceremonious ;  at  length  Mr.  Moreton,  with  evident  embar- 
rassment, put  his  hand  in  his  breast,  and  taking  out  a 
neatly  enveloped  note,  handed  it  to  Mr.  Mildmay. 

Graham  broke  the  seal,  and  read  the  contents  with  evi- 
dent surprise.  Supposing  that  his  eyes  deceived  him,  he 
went  to  the  window,  and  re-read  the  note,  and  having  as- 
sured himself  of  the  contents,  he  looked  at  Mr.  Moreton, 


340  THE  MASTEu  s  HOUSE ; 

as  if  to  assure  himself  tliat  that  gentleman  was  the  bearer 
of  such  a  message  ;  having  confirmed  himself  in  all  these 
particulars,  he  folded  up  the  note,  quietly  placed  it  in  its 
envelope,  and  said  : 

"  Mr.  Moreton,  I  must  confess  my  surprise  at  receiving 
a  message  of  this  kind.^  particularly  as  it  is  from  a  man, 
whom  I  have  no  very  certain  knowledge  that  I  have  ever 
seen.  The  fact  that  you  have  deemed  it  important  enough 
to  bring  it,  makes  it  necessary  that  I  should  treat  it  with 
due  reflection ;  if  I  return  you  an  answer  on  nest  Monday, 
will  it  be  with  your  sanction,  and  so  far  as  the  time  is  con- 
cerned, satisfactory  ?" 

Mildmay's  voice  and  manner  relieved  Mr.  Moreton,  for 
every  moment  he  was  losing  his  self-control,  and  sinking  in 
his  own  estimation,  for  consenting  to  bear  the  message  at 
all.  He  therefore  eagerly  caught  at  the  future  time  men- 
tioned for  the  receipt  of  the  answer,  and  remarked : 

"  That  will  be  soon  enough,  Mr.  Mildmay,  and  perhaps 
the  best  time,  as  I  am  this  week  exceedingly  busy  with  un- 
expected labor." 

"  You  shall  hear  from  me  then,"  said  Mildmay  quietly, 
fur  he  determined,  from  the  moment  that  he  comprehended 
the  nature  of  the  note,  not  to  speak  an  unnecessary  word. 
In  a  few  moments  more,  Mr.  Moreton,  after  declining  any 
refreshment,  mounted  his  liorse,  and  rode  away. 

Mildmay,  after  due  reflection  upon  the  challenge,  de- 
cided that  he  would  not  alarm  Annie  by  mentioning  the 
subject  to  her;  and  that  he  would  write  an  informal  note 
to  Mr.  Moreton,  refusing  to  accept  the  challenge,  or  have 
any   thins;   to  do   with    Mr.    Hickman,   whose  character 


A    TALK    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  341 

and  position  iic  had  become  accidentally  acquainted  with, 
through  some  casual  remarks  of  his  neighbor,  Mr.  Speers. 

He  therefore  prepared  his  answer,  determined  to  take 
advantage  of  the  first  opportunity  to  send  it,  by  a  suitable 
person,  to  Mr.  Moreton ;  and  thus  the  matter  rested. 

The  day  of  the  election  was  also  the  day  for  sending 
the  reply,  and  on  the  morning  of  that  important  event, 
Mildmay  noticed  Mr.  Moreton's  eldest  son  approaching  his 
house,  and  on  inquiry,  found  that  the  lad  was  going  some 
distance,  to  attend  a  "  precinct,"  a  few  miles  off,  where 
he  would  remain  all  day,  and  bring  home  the  returns  of 
the  "  poll "  to  his  father,  in  the  evening.  Mildmay  con- 
gratulated himself  upon  having  such  an  excellent  person 
to  take  his  rather  delicate  epistle,  and  gave  it  to  young 
Master  Moreton,  vv'ith  the  request  that  he  would  deliver  it 
as  directed,  on  his  return  at  night, — the  lad  promised  to 
do  so,  and  continued  his  journey  on  the  road. 

It  was  agreed  by  Squire  Hobby,  Busteed,  and  the  "  old- 
est inhabitant,"  that  there  never  had  been  such  an  ex- 
citement at  Beechland,  as  there  was  at  the  present  occa- 
sion. Mr.  Moreton's  friends  exerted  themselves  to  the  ut- 
most ;  they  had  a  large  stock  of  champagne  and  boned 
turkey,  in  an  out-of-the-way  place,  for  Col.  Lee  and  his 
friends,  and  some  bad  liquor,  "barbecued  beef,"  and  sea 
biscuit  "  for  the  masses,"  who  were  Mr.  Moreton's  friends. 
Of  this  last  named  "  lunch,"  as  there  were  no  other  re- 
freshments provided,  Duffy  White's  voters  partook  with 
great  gusto,  some  one  having  told  them,  that  that  was 
"  Duffy's  treat,"  while  Moreton's  constituents  met  in  Col. 
Lee's  "  private  rooms." 


342  THE  master's  house  ; 

The  Beechland  precinct  -was  clearly  against  Duffy 
White.  Hickman's  men  came  in,  headed  by  Puckett,  and 
they  created  a  great  deal  of  amusement,  by  holding  their 
tickets,  inscribed  with  Mr.  Moreton's  name,  open,  and  high 
over  their  heads.  Hickman  performed  his  promise  to  the 
letter,  and  so  it  was  announced  to  Mr.  Moreton,  who  was 
in  high  spirits,  and  now  entirely  confident  of  success. 

The  fact,  however,  that  Mr.  Moreton  had  condescended 
to  take  a  challenge  from  Hickman  to  Mildmay,  was  much 
speculated  upon  by  many  quiet,  thinking  people,  who  were 
in  their  hearts  opposed  to  duelling ;  and  as  they  had  an 
opportunity  of  expressing  their  indignation  through  the 
ballot-box,  without  incurring  any  responsibility,  Mr.  More- 
ton  was  therefore  quietly  deprived  of  about  four  votes  for 
every  one  gained  by  Hickman's  influence,  that,  under 
other  circumstances,  would  have  been  his.  The  conse- 
quence was,  that  when  the  poll  was  made  up,  much  to  the 
astonishment  of  all  parties,  it  was  found,  "  that  Mr.  More- 
ton  had  run  ahead  of  his  ticket"  every  where  but  at 
Beechland. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  describe  the  overwhelming 
confusion  that  seized  upon  Mr.  Moreton,  when  he  learned 
his  defeat ;  he  stalked  up  and  down  his  gallery  a  perfectly 
wretched  man.  He  did  not,  or  would  not,  comprehend 
the  real  causes  of  this  disaster,  but  in  accordance  with  his 
whole  life  of  neglect  of  self-control,  which  had  compara- 
tively ruined  the  usefulness  of  his  otherwise  splendid 
mind,  he  seemed  to  be  desirous  of  finding  some  object  on 
which  to  vent  his  spleen,  amid  Avhich  he  remembered  the 
note  he  had  received  from  Mildmay  by  the  hand  of  his 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  343 

son,  but  wliich  bad  beretofore  beeu  iinreail,  in  tbe  crowding 
excitements  of  tbe  bour. 

"Wbile  engaged  in  reading  tbe  first  line  in  tbe  frank 
and  manly  epistle  of  Mildmay,  Col.  Lee  presented  bim- 
self.  He  bad  come  out  to  Mr.  Moretou's  to  console  his 
friend,  and  explain  away  tbe  unbappy  cfibcts  of  tbe  elec- 
tion catastrophe.  He  was  received  with  marked  cool- 
ness ;  there  was  a  glimmering  in  ]Mr.  Moreton's  mind  that 
tbe  colonel  was  the  cause  of  his  unpleasant  position, 
and  Lee  had  an  idea  that  such  was  tbe  case  himself.  It 
was,  therefore,  that  that  gentleman  sat  quietly  down,  de- 
pending upon  his  address,  and  events  as  they  presented 
themselves,  to  make  bis  peace  with  the  "  defeated  candi- 
date." 

Mr.  Moreton,  without  particularly  excusing  himself, 
after  he  saw  that  Lee  was  seated,  resumed  the  reading  of 
Mildmay's  note.  Could  Mr.  Moreton  have  received  it 
under  other  circumstances, — could  his  naturally  sound 
judgment  have  operated  a  moment  upon  bis  mind,  be 
would  have  sent  for  Mildmay,  and  in  bis  natural,  if  ex- 
pressed, enthusiasm,  hugged  him  to  his  heart  as  a  friend 
and  younger  brother, — so  cordial,  so  frank,  so  manly,  was 
Mildmay's  letter  :  but  such  was  not  to  be  the  case..  After 
reading  the  epistle  more  than  once,  and  after  having  sev- 
eral times  determined  to  send  for  Mildmay,  and  himself 
make  an  explanation  of  bis  conduct  so  far  as  Hickman 
was  concerned, — bis  pride  would  revolt  at  making  any 
concession ;  be  was  afraid  that  Col.  Lee  would  not  ap- 
prove of  such  a  course ;  he  remembered  how  Mihlmay  bad 
disagreed  with  him  in  their  last  conversation,  and  without 


§44  THE  master's  house  ; 

beiug  conscious  of  it  himself,  he  had  adopted  the  prevail- 
ing idea,  that  Mildmay  "  wouldn't  fight : "  so,  amid  all 
these  conflictmg  emotions,  he  turned  to  Col.  Lee,  and  said, 
"  Mildmay  refuses  to  meet  Hickman," 

This  remark  was  a  relief  to  the  colonel ;  he  at  once 
comprehended,  that  by  making  the  proposed  duel  the  sub- 
ject of  conversation,  he  could  lead  Mr.  Moreton  off  £i-om 
an  unpleasant  subject, — break  the  force  of  the  first  disap- 
pointment, and  prepare  the  way  to  have  it  consigned  to 
forgetfulness.  The  colonel  therefore  said  :  "  I  hope,  Mr. 
Moreton,  that  Mr.  Mildmay  has  not  had  the  effrontery,  in 
refusing  to  accept  Hickman's  challenge,  to  put  it  uj)on  the 
ground  that  Mr:  Hickman  is  not  a  gentleman  ?  " 

"  I  didn't  notice  whether  he  did  or  no,"  returned  Mr. 
Moreton,  perusing  the  note  again,  and  then  handing  it  to 
Col.  Lee,  who  also  read  it  attentively. 

Col,  Lee,  still  desirous  of  leading  Mr.  Moreton  away 
from  thinking  of  the  election,  finally  said,  "  I  think  Mr. 
Mildmay  does  insinuate  that  Mr.  Hickman  is  not  a  gentle- 
man ;  at  all  events,  he  clearly  says  that  he  received  the  chal- 
lenge with  surprise,  considering  the  source  from  whence  it 
emanated." 

Mr.  Moreton's  face  flushed  with  conflicting  emotions, 
and  walking  up  and  down  the  gallery  a  few  times,  he  said, 
with  some  excitement,  ".I  hope  that  I  have  not  fallen  so 
low,  that  a  person  for  whom  I  act  as  a  friend,  can  be 
treated  with  contempt." 

"  I  don't  think  Hickman  deserves  to  be  quarrelled 
about,"  said  Lee,,  with  indifierence ;  "  he  is  good  enough 
for  gentlemen  to  use  when  necessary,  but  nothing  more." 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    1,1  Ki:.  345 

"  At  the  same  time,  Lee,"  said  Mr.  Moreton,  for  the  first 
time  fully  comprehending  his  position  toward  Hickman, 
"  if  a  gentleman  agrees  to  take  a  challenge,  the  circum- 
stances become  very  peculiar,  where  the  second  leaves  a 
positive  affront  on  the  principal,  to  go  unnoticed." 

"  That's  true,"  said  Col.  Lee,  in  an  authoritative 
tone,  the  idea  suddenly  flashing  upon  him,  that  if  Moreton 
challenged  Mildmay,  he  would  of  course  have  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  preliminaries,  which  were  much  more  elegant 
and  aristocratic  than  elections ;  and  also  remembering  that 
Mildmay  "wouldn't  fight,"  he  concluded,  to  play* upon 
Mr.  Moreton's  high  sense  of  honor,  so  as  to  get  that  gen- 
tleman to  take  Hickman's  place;  and  so  well  did  he  succeed, 
that  when  he  left  for  Beechland  late  at  night,  Mr.  More- 
ton's  disappointment  at  the  result  of  the  election  was  en- 
tirely swallowed  up  by  more  vindictive  feelings ;  and  Lee, 
in  his  lonely  homeward  ride,  rehearsed  to  himself  the  ex- 
citing preliminaries  of  a  "personal  meeting,"  in  which 
he  was  to  be  the  leading  second,  thereby  acquiring  for 
hunself  additional  social  and  personal  glory. 

15* 


046  THE  master's  house  ; 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


THE     FIELD     OF     HO^OR, 


When  Col.  Lee  rode  over  to  Heritage  Place  with  "  tlie 
note,"  from  Mr.  Moreton,  Mildmay  accidentally  met  him 
in  the  road,  near  the  house ;  and  the  colonel  internally  con- 
gratulated himself  upon  the  fact,  as  he  did  not  care  to  be 
embarrassed  in  his  errand,  by  the  appearance  of  Mrs. 
Mildmay.  After  a  few  general  remarks,  the  colonel  pre- 
sented the  missive. 

Mildmay,  in  his  letter  to  Mr.  Moreton,  had  assumed 
the  tone  of  one  who  had  a  right  to  speak,  as  to  a  friend ; 
he  clearly  expressed  the  obligations  he  was  under  to  Mr. 
Moreton,  from  the  first  evening  he  landed  at  Heritage 
Place,  up  to  the  moment  of  his  writing.  He  assumed  that 
as  the  challenge  from  Hickman  was  evidently  instigated 
by  malice,  that  Mr.  Moreton  would  see  the  person  inte- 
rested, and  by  a  few  words,  put  an  end  to  the  matter. 
Yet  he  was  not  altogether,  in  his  own  communings,  pas- 
sive under  the  infliction.  With  his  usual  good  sense,  he 
made  all  allowance  for  Mr.  Moreton's  presumed  education 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIKRX    LIFE.  347 

in  favor  of  the  "  code  of  honor,"  and  yet  he  felt  deeply 
touched,  that  that  gentleman  would  condescend  to  make  a 
fellow  like  Hickman,  so  much  an  equal,  as  to  act  as  his  se- 
cond ;  and  after  revolving  the  matter  in  his  mind,  he  came 
to  the  conclusion,  that  it  evinced,  on  the  part  of  Mr. 
Moreton,  a  want  of  that  proper  appreciation  for  himself, 
that  he  felt  he  was  entitled  to,  and  there  was,  consequent- 
ly, a  blow  struck  to  his  self-esteem,  which  he  deeply  felt. 

When,  therefore,  he  read  the  challenge  borne  by  Col. 
Lee,  he  felt  the  blood  rushing  to  his  head,  and  then  came 
over  him  the  defiant  spirit  of  an  injured  man  at  bay.  lle- 
membering  that  he  had  already  appealed  to  Mr.  Moreton's 
friendship  in  vain,  the  truth  flashed  upon  him,  that  he  was 
surrounded  with  toils,  that  would  require,  to  escape  from 
with  self-respect,  the  most  consummate  address ;  he,  there- 
fore, after  a  few  moments'  hesitation,  informed  Col.  Lee, 
that  at  the  earliest  possible  moment,  through  the  hands  of 
a  friend,  he  would  be  honored  with  an  answer,  whereupon 
the  two  gentlemen  courteously  bade  each  other  adieu,  and 
separated. 

Mildmay  rode  toward  his  home,  with  a  struggle  in 
his  mind  that  gave  him  the  first  intense  misery  he  had 
ever  felt  in  his  life.  By  a  train  of  circumstances  over 
which  he  had  no  control,  and  by  the  connivance  of  persons 
the  least  expected,  he  found  himself  in  one  of  the  most 
difficult  positions  in  which  a  man  of  feeling  and  high  sense 
of  self-respect  could  be  placed.  He  had  always  denounced 
duellino' ;  his  early  teachings,  and  his  own  religious  senti- 
ments, condemned  the  practice ;  yet,  as  he  rode  along,  his 
ears  would  burn,  and  his  face  flush,  at  the  thouglit  of  liav- 


348  THE  master's  house; 

ing  Col.  Lee,  Mr.  Moreton,  and  "  the  world ! "  apply  to 
him  an  opprobrious  epithet. 

Mildmay  "was  in  the  garden  of  temptation, — the  bitter 
cup  was  at  his  lips  ;  his  moral  principles  were  now  to  be 
tested :  how  ignorant  was  he  up  to  that  moment  of  his 
real  nature.  Mr.  Moretou  would  have  made  friends  with 
Mildmay  ;  his  calm  judgment  and  better  feelings  dictated 
that  he  should,  but  he  was  so  brave,  that  he  was  afraid  of 
Col.  Lee's  censure.  Mildmay  cared  as  little  for  the  good 
or  bad  opinion  of  the  people  in  and  about  Beeehland,  as 
perfectly  independent  circumstances,  superior  education, 
and  want  of  sympathy,  could  make  one ;  yet,  strange  as  it 
may  seem,  he  coweied  imder  the  idea  of  having  these 
same  people,  for  whom  he  really  felt  so  little  respect,  con- 
demn him,  for  doing  what  he  knew  to  be  right, — to  be 
just, — to  be  Christian, — refuse  to  take  part  in  a  duel ;  he 
therefore  wavered,  and  finally  placed  his  peace  of  mind, 
and  his  life,  out  of  his  keeping, — surrendered  to  a  bloody 
Moloch,  the  noble  attribute  of  self-apprecience,  and  for 
the  time,  trembled  more  from  the  fear  of  corrupt  man, 
than  he  did  at  the  just  auger  of  his  God. 

After  a  long  and  most  painful  conversation  with  Gen. 
Bledsoe,  Mildmay,  as  he  was  about  retiring,  remarked,  "  See 
Mr.  Moreton,  do  every  thing  proper  to  have  this  matter, 
as  it  should  be,  amicably  arranged ;  if  it  cannot  be,  I  leave 
all  future  arrangements  in  your  hands," 

Never  did  a  more  genial  day  dawn  upon  the  luxuriant 
fields  of  the  South  than  was  ushered  in  on  the  morning 
appointed  for  the  duel.  Through  the  live-long  night,  a 
gentle  sea-breeze  had  graciously  cooled  the  atmosphere,  as 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTIIEIIN    LIFE.  349 

if  moved  b}'^  tlie  fanning  wings  of  some  protecting  angel. 
Mildmay  rose  just  at  the  dawn  of  day,  possessed  with  but 
one  idea,  and  that  was,  how  he  could  best  account  to 
Annie  for  his  early  morning  ride.  Supposing  that  he  had 
escaped  from  his  room  unobserved  by  her  watchful  eyes, 
he  had  already  prepared  himself  for  departure ;  and  had 
just  taken  his  musket  from  its  hangings,  when  her  light 
footsteps  were  heard  upon  the  stairs. 

Mildmay  at  the  sound  pressed  the  deadly  weapon 
against  his  heart,  and  casting  his  eyes  upward,  muttered, 
"  God  of  Heaven !  have  mercy  on  me  ! "  and  then  as- 
suming his  usually  quiet  expression,  he  stepped  quickly 
but  with  painful  feelings  of  embarrassment  into  the  hall. 

Annie  that  morning  looked  even  more  than  usually  charm- 
ing. Her  flowing  robe  was  but  negligently  closed  at  the 
throat,  which  displayed  her  beautiful  neck  to  its  greatest 
advantage ;  her  smile  was  most  enchanting, — her  step  free, 
— and  she  appeared  the  very  personification  of  genial  good- 
ness and  wifely  beauty. 

"  Upon  my  word,"  said  she,  with  a  merry  laugh,  as 
her  eyes  met  Mildmay's, — "upon  my  word,  Graham,  I  shall 
begin  to  be  jealous  of  the  goddess  Diana,  if  you  thus  sUal 
away  to  her  retreats." 

Graham  breathed  more  freely,  as  he  found  Annie  had 
suggested  a  reason  for  his  conduct,  and  quickly  replied  : 
"  You  know  that  the  deer  are  early  risers,  Annie,  and 
if  caught  at  all,  it  must  be  while  the  dew  is  on  the 
ground." 

"  Perhaps  so,"  said  the  young  wife,  "  perhaps  so  ;  but 
do  you  know,  Graham,"  placing  her  arm  upon  his  shoul- 


350  THE  master's  iiol'se; 

der,  as  they  walked  towards  the  lawn,  "  that  I  could  not 
have  the  heart  to  shoot  any  thing ;  "  even  the  looks  of 
that  poor  buck  you  brought  home  the  other  day,  made  me 
feel  sad, — its  glazed  and  liquid  eyes  haunt  me  even  now." 

It  seemed  to  Graham  that  iron  hooks  had  a  hold  upon 
his  heart,  tearing  it  asunder,  and  then  crushing  it  with 
the  weight ;  but  he  maintained  himself,  and  replied : 

"  There  is  enough  of  the  savage  life  in  us,  Annie,  in 
spite  of  our  civilization,  to  make  the  sports  of  the  -field 
sometimes  agreeable ;  I  think,  perhaps,  a  dash  of  the  wild 
man  forms  a  useful  alloy  for  even  the  noblest  natures." 

"  What  you  prove  by  example,"  said  Annie,  "  leaves 
no  room  for  argument ;  but  you  will  come  back  soon,  will 
you  not?"  and  as  the  tender-hearted  woman,  all  innocent 
of  the  fearful  precipice  upon  which  she  was  standing, 
asked  this  question,  she  looked  at  Mildmay  a  world  of  un- 
utterable love. 

"  I  will,  Annie,"  said  he,  determined  to  fall  dead  at 
his  wife's  feet  before  he  would  betray  himself,  or  awaken 
by  any  extraordinary  emotion  on  his  part  her  sensibilities 
to  the  awful  ordeal  through  which  she,  in  his  person,  was 
about  to  pass. 

"  And  so  .do,"  said  Annie,  stepping  aside  and  gather- 
ing a  white  half-blown  rose ;  and  returning  to  Mildmay, 
she  took  a  pin  from  her  dress,  and  fastened  the  bud  to  one 
of  the  button-holes  of  his  coat, — "  And  so  do,"  she  re- 
peated, standing  back,  as  if  to  take  in  the  effect  of  the 
flower;  "and  come  home  soon,  for  I  shall  wait  breakfast 
for  you,  and  Clemmy  and  I  will  see  what  good  thing  we 
can  invent  to  appease  that  hunter's  appetite  I  know  you 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  351 

will  find  in  the  woods ; "  and  kissing  Mildniay,  she  stood 
transfixed  as  long  as  he  remained  in  siffht. 

Graham  looked  back  but  once, — waved  his  hand,  and 
turning  away,  pressed  it  against  his  forehead,  and  stared 
wildly  into  the  heavens.  Who,  but  the  Infinite,  could 
fathom  his  thoughts  ! — who,  save  the  Creator,  compre- 
hend the  awful  struggle  in  his  mind  between  his  moral 
feelings  and  the  participation  of  crime,  which  would  vio- 
late them  all.  How  there  came  rushing  upon  him  the 
precepts  of  peace,  that  had  so  often  been  enforced  and  il- 
lustrated in  his  early  education ;  how  the  form  of  his  Sa- 
viour rose  in  his  view,  preaching  peace  and  good-will  to 
all  mankind ;  how  Annie's  misery,  if  he  fell :  all  these 
things  rushed  through  his  brain  and  heart,  yet  the  spell 
of  the  demon  of  the  duello  was  upon  him ;  the  heathen  Ajax 
defied  but  the  lightning, — a  Christian  now  invoked  the 
wrath  of  Almighty  God  ! 

As  Mildmay  rode  slowly  do^vn  the  road,  his  faithful 
body-servant  followed  in  the  rear ;  and  tired  of  the  silence, 
he  took  advantage  of  a  favorable  opportunity,  and  said, 
"Master,  I  seed  a  buck  in  de  old  field  yesterday;  I 
think  you'd  better  turn  in  de  lower  bars,  and  we  can  pass 
right  by  his  tracks  in  comin  up  where  de  .hands  are  at 
work." 

"  I'm  not  after  bucks  this  morning,  nor  am  I  going  to 
the  field,"  replied  Mildmay,  relieved  perhaps  to  hear  a 
voice  of  sympathy  ;  and  then  turning  suddenly  to  the  boy, 
who  had  come  nearly  alongside,  he  inquired,  "  Did  you 
ever  see  a  duel  ? " 

"  No,  master,"  replied  Governor,  his  eyes  popping  out 


352  THE  master's  house  ; 

of  his  head,  as  if  the  very  suggestion  of  such  a  thing  had 
swelled  his  brain. 

"  You  will  probably  see  one  this  morning,"  returned 
Mildmay,  with  solemnity ;  "  and  I  charge  you,  as  you 
value  your  life,  never  to  speak  of  it  at  the  Heritage  until 
I  tell  you." 

"  Yes,  master,"  echoed  Governor,  the  very  picture  of 
perturbation : — 

"  Master,  who's  going  to  fou't  ? "  inquired  Governor, 
his  curiosity  finally  overcoming  his  other  emotions. 

"  You  will  learn  in  due  time,"  retui-ned  Mildmay;  and 
in  another  instant,  he  caught  the  sight  of  Gen.  Bledsoe, 
who,  with  one  or  two  friends,  were  leaping  their  horses 
over  the  partially  let-down  fence,  showing  that  they  had 
reached  the  place  by  coming  across  the  fields. 

Graham  saluted  Gen.  Bledsoe  and  his  friends  with  the 
carelessness,  and  yet  the  studied  courtesy,  of  every-day 
meetings ;  and  then  riding  up  to  the  general,  he  grasped 
him  firmly  by  the  hand,  and  by  consent  the  two  rode  ahead, 
and  side  by  side. 

"  You  are  blessed  with  a  fine  morning,  Mildmay," 
said  the  general,  cheerfully;  "  all  yesterday  it  looked  like 
rain ;  and  I  was  very  glad  to  see  it  come  off  clear  in 
the  west,  and  give  promise  of  this  splendid  day.  And 
now,"  said  the  general,  taking  out  his  watch,  "  it  is  within 
a  few  minutes  of  the  time  of  meeting, — did  you  practise, 
Mildmay,  that  hint  I  gave  you  about  turning  your  body, 
without  moving  your  feet  ?  " 

"  I  did  not,"  returned  Mildmay,  in  an  emphatic 
manner. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHKRX    LIFE.  353 

"  But  you  should  have  done  it,"  said  Gen.  Bledsoe, 
naturally  assuming  the  resjDOusible  position  of  second,  and 
therefore  for  the  time  speaking  with  more  than  usual  free- 
dom. "  You  should  have  done  it ;  it  was  an  easy  move- 
ment, and  has  saved  life." 

"  To  tell  you  the  truth,  general,  I  did  go  out  a  day  or 
two  since,  and,  according  to  your  direction,  I  placed  the 
heel  of  my  right  foot  in  the  hollow  of  the  left,  and  went 
through  the  pantomime  of  firing  over  my  left  shoulder  at 
an  imaginary  human  being  in  my  rear." 

"  And  what  success  did  you  have  ?  "  inquired  the  gen- 
eral, with  animation. 

"  Why,"  answered  Mildmay,  "  I  came  home  ignorant 
of  what  success  I  might  have  had  by  practice." 

A  cloud  passed  over  Gen.  Bledsoe's  face ;  he  seemed 
to  be  angry,  mortified,  and  filled  with  pity,  by  turns. 
Mildmay  noticed  it,  and  for  the  first  and  only  time  on  that 
memorable  day,  did  his  eyes  flash  malignant  fire ;  but  he 
rode  on  in  silence. 

Mr.  Moreton's  friends — and  there  were  several  who 
took  a  deep  and  actively  expressed  interest  in  "the  affair" 
— together  with  Col.  Lee,  had  staid  at  Mr.  Moreton's  house 
the  night  before  the  duel.  Previous  to  retiring,  the  arrange- 
ments were  made  for  the  following  morning ;  and  it  was 
agreed  that  the  party  should  rise  early,  and  after  a  cup  of 
cofi'ee  proceed  at  once  to  the  ground,  and  there  take  a  sub- 
stantial breakfast,  in  picnic  fashion, — Col.  Lee  suggesting, 
"  that  the  display  would  have  a  fine  moral  effect  upon  the  op- 
posing party  ;  and  that  there  was  nothing  so  well  calculated 


354  THE  master's  house; 

to  shake  a  man's  courage  as  to  find  liis  opponent  early  in 
the  field." 

These  things  were  freely  talked  over  in  the  evening, 
as  the  gentlemen  smoked  their  cigars  on  the  gallery,  after 
the  children  and  Aunt  Margaret  had  retired. 

Mrs,  Moreton  had  been  from  the  beginning  perfectly 
conversant  with  the  progress  of  the  difiiculty.  At  fii'st  she 
acted  as  a  peacemaker,  although  she  said  but  little  ;  after 
a  while,  she  commenced  sympathizing  with  the  sentiments 
of  her  husband  and  his  friends,  and  very  soon  showed  even 
more  excitement  on  the  subject  than  Mr.  Moreton  himself. 

Danorer  to  those  she  loved  never  entered  her  mind. 
The  contemplated  duel,  therefore,  from  her  early  educa- 
tion, had  no  terrors,  because  she  had  wrought  herself  up 
to  the  notion,  that  it  could  amount  to  nothing  more  than  a 
triumph  for  her  husband ;  but  how  it  was  to  be  accom- 
plished had  never  troubled  her  thoughts. 

Just  before  the  party  separated  for  the  night,  Mrs. 
Moreton,  who  had  silently  for  a  long  while  listened  to  the 
general  remarks,  asked  : 

"  You  think,  then,  Col.  Lee,  that  Mr.  Mildmay  will 
not  fight?" 

"  Most  decidedly,"  said  the  colonel,  with  a  wave  of  the 
hand ;  "  most  decidedly,"  echoed  the  younger  gentlemen, 
looking  triumphantly  at  Mrs.  Moreton. 

"Madam,"  continued  the  colonel,  "if  Mr.  Mildmay 
had  any  courage  at  all,  it  has  been  destroyed  by  those 
Yankees,  who  unfortunately  had  charge  of  his  education." 

"  There  cannot  be  a  doubt  of  that,"  said  a  young  gen- 
tleman, named   Bcauchamp ;    "  he  seems  so  afraid  of  a 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  355 

jSght,  that  he  has  made  up  a  half-dozen  difficulties  to  my 
knowledge.  Look  how  he  interfered  to  save  Toadvine 
from  lynching,  although  the  fellow  had  killed  one  of  his 
best  niggers;  and,  besides  that,  Mildmay  said  he  was 
willing  to  trust  to  the  law  for  redress.  In  my  opinion," 
continued  Beauchamp,  with  energy,  "  any  man  that  will 
refer  to  the  law  to  get  satisfaction  for  a  personal  wrong,  is 
a  coward." 

"  Not  always,"  said  Mr.  Moreton,  thoughtfully,  roused 
by  the  sound  of  the  offensive  word  used  by  Beauchamp  ; 
"  not  always,  but  it  is  difficult  to  overcome  early  educa- 
tion." 

"  And  you  think,  Colonel  Lee,  that  Mr.  Mildmay  will 
make  an  apology  on  the  ground,  do  you?"  asked  Mrs. 
Moreton,  drawing  her  shawl  closely  round  her  shoulders, 
as  she  was  preparing  to  leave. 

"  I  most  certainly  do,"  replied  the  colonel,  rising  with 
the  other  gentlemen  to  bid  the  lady  good  night ;  and  he 
continued,  in  a  playful  way,  "  We  shall  not  be  hard  upon 
Mildmay ;  if  he  don't  beg  off  too  much,  we  will  dismiss 
him  with  very  little  ceremony,  and  leave  him  to  the  degra- 
dation of  his  own  thoughts." 

Mrs.  Moreton  cast  a  meaning  look  at  her  husband;  her 
bright  dark  eye  flashed  with  triumph,  and  with  a  stately 
tread,  unusual  to  her  manner,  she  waved  her  adieus — and 
leaning  upon  the  arm  of  Mr.  Moreton,  disappeared  from 
the  presence  of  the  gentlemen. 

"  I  hope,"  said  Beauchamp,  with  an  oath,  "  I  hope 
this  Mildmay  will  stand  fire,  for  I  should  hate  to  be  dis- 
appointed, after  all  the  trouble  we  have  had.' 


356  THE  master's  house  ; 

"  If  he  will,"  said  Col.  Lee,  walking  pompously  up  and 
down,  "  if  he  will,  there  will  be  displayed  the  handsomest 
piece  of  finessing  on  the  part  of  Moreton  that  ever  dis- 
tinguished an  honorable  meeting.  Mildmay  will  un- 
doubtedly shoot  quick, — ^he  has  learnt  the  habit  from 
deer-hunting ;  and  by  the  arrangements  of  the  duello, 
Moreton  will  thus  draw  his  fire,  and  will  have  time  to 
shoot  Mildmay  down  at  his  leisure." 

"Excellent!"  cried  Beauchamp,  now  full  of  enthu- 
siasm; "  excellent !  and  woe  to  the  spectators  that  are  in 
the  way  of  Mildmay's  bullet,  for  nobody  will  be  safe  ex- 
cept they  stand  close  up  to  Moreton." 

This  sally  was  received  with  a  suppressed  laugh  by  all 
the  party ;  and  helping  themselves  liberally  to  the  liquors 
that  stood  upon  the  sideboard,  they,  one  by  one,  preceded 
by  servants  bearing  candles,  retii-ed  for  the  night  to  their 
rooms. 

The  following  morning  they  met  early  in  the  dining- 
hall;  the  carriages,  four  in  number,  were  at  the  door. 
Into  one  of  the  vehicles,  under  the  more  immediate  charge 
of  Beauchamp,  was  placed  the  "  lunch,"  packed  in  cham- 
pagne baskets.  Every  body  was  in  surprising  spirits ; 
Mr.  Moreton  was  himself  more  than  usually  agreeable, — 
Col.  Lee  never  appeared  to  better  advantage, — and  Beau- 
champ said,  "  that  this  was  the  most  agreeable  excitement 
he  ever  had  in  his  life." 

As  the  carriages  were  about  leaving,  Mrs.  Moreton 
made  her  appearance ;  there  was  a  flush  on  her  cheek,  that 
made  her  naturally  handsome  face,  almost  radiant.  She 
was  exceedingly  animated, — laughed  at  Beauchamp  be- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHKUN    MKK.  ^!)1 

cause  he  displayed  so  much  interest  about  the  breakfast 
basket;  and  as  the  carrin^ics  Averc  about  to  move  from 
the  lawu,  she  stepped  into  the  parlor,  and  brought  out 
Mr.  Moreton's  riflo. 

Walking  to  the  carriage  window,  she  handed  it  to  her 
husband,  exclaiming,  "  I  would  do  more  than  that  for  the 
honor  of  my  family."  Mr.  Moreton  took  the  deadly  wea- 
pon, gallantly  kissed  his  wife's  hand,  and  as  the  carriage 
dashed  away,  he  continued  to  wave  his  tokens  of  adieu, 
which  the  lady  returned,  until  a  bend  in  the  road  caused 
the  party  to  disappear  from  her  sight. 


S58  THE  master's  house  ; 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


THE       CATASTROPHE 


The  place  selected  for  "  tlie  duel "  was  a  neck  of  land,  or 
rather  "  sand-bar,"  made  by  a  creek,  -wbich  at  times  over- 
flowed the  spot,  and  consequently  it  presented,  at  low  water, 
a  smooth,  sandy  surface  as  level  as  a  floor.  Opposite,  rose 
the  high  bank  of  the  stream,  which  circled  round,  holding 
the  place  of  meeting,  as  it  were,  in  its  embrace.  Tall  and 
magnificent  forest  trees  filled  up  the  background,  and  some 
majestic  specimens,  in  solitary  grandeur,  rose  here  and 
there,  not  only  rich  in  their  own  unrivalled  vegetation,  but 
bearing  heavenward,  gigantic  grape  and  flower-bearing 
vines.  The  birds  sang  merrily  in  the  boughs,  and  the  low- 
ing kine  grazed  contentedly  about — all  in  nature  was  har- 
mony and  peace. 

Mr.  Moreton  and  his  friends  were  already  upon  the 
ground,  when  Mildmay  and  Gen.  Bledsoe  came  in  sight. 
The  carriages  in  which  they  had  come  to  the  field,  were  os- 
tentatiously drawn  up  near  by.  On  the  ground  was 
snowy  napery,  upon  which  were  the  remains  of  a  sj)lendid 
repast ;  in  fact,  Moreton  and  his  party  wore  at  the  instant 
busily  engaged  in  eating  a  hearty  breakfast. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  350 

"  This  theatrical  display  of  eating  and  drinking,  at  a 
time  like  this,  is  really  disgusting  ! "  said  Gen.  Bledsoe  to 
Mildmay — "  I  am  sure  that  this  v;aa  not  Mr.  Moreton's 
suggestion ;  that  gentleman  has  been  badly  advised." 

In  a  moment  more  the  viands  were  disi)ensed  with,  and 
Mr.  Moreton's  party  shook  bands  with  Gen.  Bledsoe  and 
Mildmay  as  cordially  as  if  they  had  met  at  a  picnic,  in- 
stead of  a  hostile  meeting.  Mildmay  went  through  this 
part  of  the  ceremony  with  coldness ;  he  was  not  yet  per- 
fect master  of  his  feelings  ;   dissembling  was  still  difficult. 

While  considerable  discussion  was  going  on  in  subdued 
tones,  between  the  seconds,  Mildmay  had,  entirely  alone, 
seated  himself  on  a  limb  of  a  fallen  tree  ;  Mr.  Moreton, 
oil  the  contrary,  was  surrounded  by  a  number  of  young 
men,  who  seemed  to  be  very  full  of  suppressed  humor,  for 
it  seemed  that,  if  it  were  proper,  they  would  be  entirely 
overcome  with  some  excellent  joke. 

As  Mildmay  ^at  by  himself,  Governor,  who  had  not 
been  upon  the  ground  more  than  a  moment  before  he  com- 
prehended the  purpose  of  the  assembling,  and  who  was 
filled  with  alarm,  came  near,  and  stood  behind  his  master — 
an  affecting  statue  of  sorrowful  interest,  willing,  could  the 
sacrifice  have  been  made,  to  give  up  his  life  to  save  his  pro- 
tector and  friend. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  moments  Gen.  Bledsoe  walked 
up  to  Mildmay,  and  announced  to  him,  that  the  prelimi- 
naries were  arranged. 

"  General,"  said  Mildmay,  in  reply,  "  your  kindness 
to  me  on  this  occasion  will  ever  be  remembered  with  gra- 
titude.    The  course  I  have  adopted  may  be  right  or  wrong, 


360  THE  master's  house  ; 

still  I  must  beg  of  j'ou  to  bear  with  me,  even  if  I  demand 
more  than  is  conceded  on  occasions  of  this  kind."  Gen. 
Bledsoe  bit  his  lij).  Mildmay  continued  :  ■'  I  this  morn- 
ing make  a  sacrifice  to  public  opinion,  that,  whatever  may 
be  the  result,  will  be  reflected  upon  by  me,  with  soitow, 
even  to  my  grave.  I  therefore  must  ask  of  you,  with  most 
solemn  interest,  has  every  thing  been  done,  compatible 
with  honor,  to  peacefully  arrange  this  difficulty  between 
myself  and  Mr.  Moreton?" 

"  Mr.  Mildmay,"  said  the  general,  with  perceptible 
sternness,  and  some  undisguised  feeling  of  disdain  in  his 
face,  "  I  have  already  assured  you,  over  my  own  signa- 
ture, that  every  proposition  for  peace  has  been  almost 
rudely  rejected;  and  I  will  add,  that  in  respect  to  your 
feelings,  I  have  almost  compromised  myself — and  you, 
perhaps,  by  my  active  zeal  to  bring  about  a  peaceful  recon- 
ciliation." 

" 'Tis  well!"  returned  Graham.  ''I  have  no  more 
to  say." 

Mr.  Moreton  and  Mildmay,  after  again  ceremoniously 
shaking  hands,  at  once  took  their  appointed  places,  at 
twenty  paces  apart.  There  was,  in  many  respects,  a  dif- 
ference of  appearance  in  the  two  combatants.  Mr.  More- 
ton  had  the  air  of  a  perfect  gentleman,  in  the  maturity  of 
life ;  the  slight  tinge  of  gray  that  was  discovered  in  his 
hair,  when  illuminated  in  the  sunshine,  gave  interest  to  his 
face.  He  was  perfectly  self-possessed  and  affable.  His 
whole  expression  denoted  a  person  of  high  education,  who 
was  about  to  perform  an  important,  but  necessary  act. 

Mildmay,  on  the  contrary,  had  evidently  not  yet  reached 


A    TALK    OK    f^OeTUKHN     I.IFK.  3G1 

perfect  maturity.  His  foce  was  noble,  and  full  of  deep, 
abiding,  solemn  thought ;  it  was  painfully  interesting,  to 
sec  so  much  responsibility  marked  upon  so  young  a  brow. 
As  he  rose  to  his  full  height,  he  was  certainly  as  perfect 
a  specimen  of  manly  beauty,  as  was  ever  seen. 

G-en.  Bledsoe,  who,  from  the  moment  when  he  first  saw 
Mildmay,  had  conceived  a  high  idea  of  his  qualities  in 
every  respect ;  when  he  came  upon  the  ground,  became  so 
solicitous  that  Mildmay  should  sustain  himself  by  the 
most  approved  bearing,  that  he  unconsciously  became  af- 
fected with  the  sentiments  of  Mr.  Moreton's  friends,  and 
feared  that,  possibly,  Mildmay  might  at  the  critical  mo- 
ment, "  compromise  himself,"  and  this  feeling  was  some- 
what confirmed  by  Mildmay's  just  reiterated  desire  to  know 
"  if  every  amicable  proposition  had  been  rejected?" 

The  principals  were  at  their  places,  their  weapons  in 
their  hands — when  Gren.  Bledsoe,  his  face  full  of  deep  sym- 
pathy, walked  close  up  to  Mildmay,  and  whispered  in  his 
car  : 

"  Mildmay,  if  there  be  a  doubt  in  your  mind,  about 
your  firmness  on  this  occasion,  if  your  conscientious  scru- 
ples overcome  your  courage,  let  me  take  your  place.  Re- 
member that  the  same  blood  courses  through  our  veins. — 
Hetty  Bledsoe  should  not  he  disgraced  upon  the  fields 

"Stand  back!"  said  Mildmay,  with  impassioned 
energy.  "  Do  your  duty,  my  friend  ! "  continued  he,  in  a 
calmer  tone,  "  I  will  not  forget  mine. 

'■'  Grod  bless  you  for  that !  "    said  Bledsoe,  the  tear 
sti-uggling  in  his  eye.     "  Now  Mildmay,  my  boy!"  added 
he,  with  vivacity,  "tear  that  flower  from  your  breast ;   it 
16 


362  'inE  .master's  house  ; 

is  a  better  mark,  against  your  dark  dress,  than  ever  was  a 
'  bull's  eye  '  on  a  target." 

Mildmay  looked  down,  and  there,  in  all  its  innocent 
loveliness,  was  Annie's  last  tribute  of  affection,  still  fresh 
in  the  morning  dews ;  the  young  husband  plucked  it  from 
its  place,  and  thrusting  it  into  his  breast,  so  that  it  rested 
upon  his  heart,  he  turned  to  his  second,  and  with  a  fii-m 
voice  said  : 

"  I  am  ready." 

Col.  Lee,  who  had  the  ordering  of  the  preliminaries, 
the  moment  he  heard  Mildmay's  remark,  with  professional 
solemnity  asked : 

"  Grentlemen,  are  you  ready  ?  " 

"  We  are  ready  ! "  was  mutually  answered. 

"  Then,  gentlemen,"  said  Col.  Lee,  with  a  loud  voice, 
"  upon  my  repeating  again  the  question,  '  Are  you  ready,' 
you  are  to  answer  '  Yes.'  I  shall  then  say,  fire,  one — 
two — three." 

At  this  instant,  Mildmay,  who  was  standing  with  his 
musket  resting  in  the  hollow  of  his  left  arm,  to  the  aston- 
ishment of  all  present,  dropped  the  butt  upon  the  ground 
and  said  : 

"  CoL  Lee,  I  desire  some  information." 

Gen.  Bledsoe,  who  was  now  of  course  compelled  to  be 
a  silent  spectator,  felt  a  sickness  come  over  him,  when 
Mildmay  appeared  thus  so  unnecessarily  to  interrupt  the 
proceedings,  while  a  look  of  sarcastic  significance  passed 
between  Moreton's  friends,  Beauchamp  whispering,  "  Mild- 
may's  gf>ing  to  faint." 


A    TALE     OF    SOfJIIKUN    LIF£.  yG3 

"  What  is  it,  sir?"  said  Col,  Lee,  impatiently,  at  the 
same  time,  turning  to  the  questioner. 

"  Do  I  understand  aright.  Col.  Lee,"  said  Mildmay, 
with  an  affectedly  slow  emphasis,  "  that  I  can  fire  at  any 
time  between  the  counts  of  'one — two — three.'  " 

"  You  can,  sir ! "  answered  Col.  Lee,  waving  his  hand 
with  authority. 

Upon  hearing  which,  Mildmay  very  slowly  stooped 
down,  and  pinching  up  some  dry  dust  between  the  thumb 
and  fore-finger  of  his  right  hand, — without  speaking,  sig- 
nified that  he  understood  the  arrangement,  and  instantly 
assumed  his  proper  position. 

Gen.  Bledsoe,  whose  confidence  in  Mildmay's  firmness 
had  been  so  terribly  shaken,  by  what  appeared  to  be  his 
ill-opportuned  interruption ;  instantly  caught  the  deep  in- 
tent of  Mildmay's  question,  and  the  reason  of  his  apparent 
desire  to  fortify  his  finger  against  the  possibility  of  slip- 
ping on  the  trigger ;  it  flashed  upon  him,  like  lightning, 
that  it  was  all  to  derange  Moreton's  calculations  about 
Mildmay's  making  a  quick  fire,  and  Gen.  Bledsoe,  whose 
heart,  a  moment  before,  was  near  collapsing  with  fear;  with 
a  thrill  of  admiration,  could  now  with  difficulty  restrain  him- 
self from  falling  on  Mildmay's  neck,  and  bursting  into  tears. 

Both  Moreton  and  Mildmay  now  seemed  conscious  that 
the  instant  of  action  had  arrived,  for  they  simultaneously 
and  courteously  raised  their  weapons,  as  if  "  presenting 
arms."     Col.  Lee  again,  in  a  solemn  voice  asked : 

"  Gentlemen,  are  you  ready?" 

The  combatants  simultaneously  answered,  "  We  are!" 
Then  said  Col.  Lee  : 


361  THE  master's  housb  ; 

"  Gentlemen, — fire — one — " 

The  numeral  had  hardly  escaped  the  lips  of  Lee,  be- 
fore the  crashing  sound  of  Mildmay's  musket  echoed  far 
and  -wide,  and  Moreton,  with  his  -weapon  undischarged, 
sprang  perpendicularly  in  the  air,  and  then  fell  lumbering 
to  the  earth ;  for  an  instant,  his  body  trembled  like  an  as- 
pen leaf;  he  essayed  to  raise  himself,  and  amid  gurgling 
sounds,  could  be  faintly  distinguished  the  words,  "  My 
wife — my  children  I  "  and  then,  with  a  long-drawn  sigh,  he 
fell  back — a  corpse. 

Mildmay,  still  standing  in  his  place,  gazed  sadly  at  the 
group  now  kneeling  about  the  lifeless  form  of  the  once 
splendid  Mr.  Moreton ;  and  then,  handing  his  weapon  to 
Governor,  who  could  scarce  conceal  his  exultation  at  the 
result,  he  mechanically  moved  toward  ki«  horse. 

But  ere  he  reached  his  place  of  destination,  Gen.  Bled- 
soe, who  had  instinctively  rushed  toward  the  dying  man, 
now  turned  to  Mildmay ;  and  seizing  him  by  the  hand,  he 
shook  it  convulsively,  and  looking  him  affectionately  in  the 
face,  said  : 

Mildmay,  thank  God  you  are  safe,  and  you  have,  this 
day,  added  lustre  to  the  bearing  of  a  gentleman." 

Col.  Lee  next  came  forward,  and  with  a  most  courth^ 
salute,  he  said  :  "  Mr.  Mildmay,  I  have  had  the  extreme 
pleasure  of  acting  as  '  a  friend,'  on  many  similar  occa- 
sions, and  in  none,  that  I  can  remember,  or  that  I  have 
heard  of,  have  the  strict  rules  of  honor  been  more  faith- 
fully preserved  ;  your  conduct  to-day  is  above  all  praise." 

Mildmay  listened  to  these  strangely  sounding  congratu- 
lations, as  if  he  were  in  a  drcaui,  but  rallying  his  thoughts, 


A    TAl.E    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFK.  365 

he  bade  all  present  a  general  adieu;  mounted  liis  horse,  and 
closely  followed  by  Governor,  slowly  rode  away. 

"  What  a  trump  he  is  ! "  said  Bcauchamp,  the  moment 
Mildmay  was  out  of  hearing.  "  "What  a  trump  !  ho  has, 
this  morning,  established  himself  in  society ;  every  honor 
and  office  is  henceforth  open  to  him.  I  wonder  whether 
he  will  decide  to  ffo  to  Congress  ?  " 


3GG  THE  master's  house 


CHAPTEE  XXX. 


THE    WIDOW    AND    ORPHANS. 


The  moment  that  Mr.  Moreton  left  his  house  with  the  gay 
party,  Aunt  Margaret  went  into  her  room,  and  throwing 
herself  on  her  knees,  in  an  intense  agony  of  prayer,  she 
called  on  her  Heavenly  Father  to  enlighten  the  heart  of 
her  brother  and  his  friends,  and  save  the  effusion  of  blood. 
"  But,"  she  concluded,  "  if  the  wrath  of  offended  Heaven  is 
upon  us  for  our  many  sins,  prepare  our  hearts  for  the  aw- 
ful responsibilities  that  await  us."  "While  thus  pouring 
out  her  very  soul  for  divine  grace,  Toots,  who  had  been 
much  amused  by  the  attention  of  the  gentlemen,  and  the 
bustle  preceding  her  father's  departure,  missing  Aunt  Mar- 
garet, promptly  proceeded  to  her  room,  and  bursting  in  the 
door,  she  saw  her  dear  relative,  who  was  still  in  the  atti- 
tude of  prayer,  in  tears. 

"  Why,  what's  matter  ?  "  asked  Toots,  throwing  her  little 
arms  around  Aunt  Margaret's  neck;  "  what's  you  cry  for  ? 
won't  Jemima  weed  the  flower-beds  ?  " 

"  Oh,  nothing,  my  dear,  dear  child ! "  said  Aunt  Mar- 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  00*7 

garct  pressing  her  little  niece  to  Lcr  bosom ;  "  nothing,  my 
sweet  one,  Jemima  did  weed  the  flower-beds." 

"  I  am  glad  of  it,"  said  Toots,  with  comical  pomposity ; 
and  unconsciously  imitating  her  father's  manner — "  I  am 
glad  of  it ;  I'd  like  misef  to  see  any  one  that  didn't  mind 
what  Aunty  says." 

The  smile  of  affection  that  passed  over  Aunt  Margaret's 
face,  formed  curious  channels  for  a  flood  of  tears ;  and 
again  kissing  Toots,  and  heaving  a  deep  sigh,  she  said  : 

"  Run  down  stairs,  my  little  one,  and  see  if  dear  papa 
has  come." 

Away  went  Toots,  her  little  feet  pattering  like  hail 
upon  the  wax-polished  floor ;  and  rushing  to  the  gallei*y, 
she  saw  her  mother  walking  nervously  up  and  down  its 
ample  length. 

Now  the  sight  of  her  mother  thus  spiritedly  walkings 
astonished  Toots,  and  joined  with  the  scene  just  enacted 
by  her  aunt,  the  child  appeared  to  comprehend  that  some- 
thing unusual  had  occurred ;  and  catching  hold  of  her 
mother's  dress,  she  said  : 

"Muddy,  Aunt  Margaret's  crying  up  stairs — who's 
hurt  her,  muddy  ?  " 

Mrs.  jNIoreton  rolled  her  large  and  brilliant  eyes  down 
upon  Toots,  as  if  the  child  had  suddenly  stung  her  in  the 
heart;  and  drawing  her  arms  across  her  bosom,  while  two 
scalding  tears  fell  upon  the  floor,  she  said : 

"  Call  Fanny,  child,  and  go  and  see  the  chickens  fed ; 
ah,  that's  a  dear." 

Toots  bounced  around,  and  in  another  minute  was  in  the 
kitchen,  ordering  the  servant  to   the  appointed  task,  and 


3G8  THE  master's  house; 

rattling  on  with  directions,  it  appeared,  as  if  her  tongue 
would  never  be  still. 

Mrs.  Moreton  continued  to  pace  the  gallery ;  the  time 
which  her  husband  said  he  would  be  absent  had  already 
passed,  and  there  was  a  faint  sensation — an  unaccountable 
feeling  about  her  heart :  "  Who  hurt  Aunt  Margaret  ? — 
what  did  the  child  mean?"  these  questions  she  repeated 
to  herself,  as  a  sense  of  danger,  like  a  dark  cloud,  com- 
menced settling  around  her. 

"  Oh,  I  am  sure  nothing  serious  has  happened  to 
Moreton,"  she  soliloquized;  "  did  not  Colonel  Lee  tell  me 
that  Mildmay  '  wouldn't  fight,'  and  did  not  all  my  hus- 
band's friends  assure  me  that  there  was  no  danger  ?  I  am 
sure  it  was  only  a  harmless  pastime,"  and  the  poor  lady's 
face  turned  alarmingly  pale. 

While  in  this  frame  of  mind,  the  carriage,  containing 
Mr.  Moreton's  body,  and  those  accompanying  it,  were  seen 
winding  their  way  slowly  through  the  forest.  The  wife 
was  now  all  alarm.  She  struggled,  as  if  smothering  for 
want  of  air.  Placing  her  delicate  hand  over  her  eyes,  she 
looked  at  the  approaching  procession  as  if  she  would  see 
through  the  solid  sides  of  the  vehicles. 

"My  God!  my  Grod!"  she  exclaimed,  now  neai-ly 
frantic ;  "  I  know  that  something  must  have  happened. 
Moreton  would  never  come  home  so  slowly,  if  he  were  not 
wounded  : "  and  rushing  into  the  house,  she  fairly  screamed, 
"Aunt  Margaret,  do  come  here!" — and  exhausted  with 
emotion,  she  sank  almost  lifeless  in  a  chair. 

The  beloved  form  of  Aunt  Margaret  was  iut-tantly 
at   the   head   of  the   stairs :    she   descended  with   more 


A    TXLTi    OF    SOUTHERX    LIFE.  3G9 

than  usual  calmness :  her  eyes  were  still  red  with  weep- 
ing,— her  face  was  pale,  but  firm ;  she  seemed  armed  with 
a  superhuman  strength,  as  if  prepared  to  do  her  duty, 
whatever  it  might  be. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  dear  Clotilde  ?"  said  Aunt  Mar- 
garet, standing  over  the  reclining  form  of  Mrs.  Moreton. 

"Matter!"  echoed  the  lady,  with  fierce  animation; 
"  matter !  Has  not  Moreton  been  hurt  ? — did  you  ever 
know  his  carriage  to  approach  the  house  at  that  snail's 
pace  ? "  and  she  pointed  with  her  finger  to  the  cortege, 
that  was  now  entirely  visible  through  the  wide-opened 
door. 

"  Be  cahn,  dear  sister  !  I  hope  that  all  is  well ! "  and 
Aunt  Margaret  herself  became  a  statue  of  interest,  as  she 
watched  the  carriages  approach. 

In  a  moment  more,  they  drew  up  in  front  of  the  lawn, 
and  Col.  Lee,  with  a  slow  and  dignified  tread,  opened  the 
front  gate,  and  came  toward  the  house. 

Mrs.  Moreton  stared  at  his  approaching  figure  until  no 
longer  able  to  contain  herself;  she  then  leaped  from 
Aunt  Margaret,  and  absolutely  flew  across  the  lawn  to 
meet  Col.  Lee. 

"  He's  only  wounded  ?  "  said  she,  her  hands  raised  in 
an  imploring  attitude. 

"  Wounded ! "  echoed  the  colonel,  for  an  instant  over- 
come by  the  unexpected  appearance  of  Mrs.  Moreton. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  say,"  replied  the  colonel — "  I  am  sorry 
to  say,  madam,  that  Mr.  Moreton  is  wounded  and — " 

But  before  the  "  accomplished  second"  could  finish  his 
explanation,  the  vpfjfe,  in  a  perfect  frenzy,  rushed  past  him, 
16* 


370  THE  master's  house  ; 

and  reached  the  gate,  just  as  her  husband's  body  had  been 
drawn  clear  of  the  carriage,  and  was  extended  at  full  length 
in  the  arms  of  its  bearers. 

Now,  so  intent  were  the  parties  in  their  occupation  of 
cai-rying  the  dead,  that  they  did  not  perceive  Mrs.  More- 
ton's  intrusion,  and  she,  having  a  full  and  undisturbed 
glance  of  her  husband's  face,  as  the  head  rolled  from  side 
to  side  in  the  stepping  movement  of  being  borne  along, 
she  comprehended  in  an  instant  the  full  extent  of  her  loss ; 
and  with  one  piercing  shriek,  she  threw  herself  upon  the 
lifeless  body. 

For  a  moment  she  gazed  upon  the  expressionless  face, 
and  stared  wildly  at  those  about  her.  "  Gentlemen,"  she 
said,  pushing  her  luxuriant  hair  from  her  forehead — "gen- 
tlemen, this  is  not  reality — this  is  all  a  horrid  dream! 
It  cannot  be  ! — it  cannot  be  ! "  and  she  laid  her  delicate 
hand  upon  the  silent  heart  of  the  dead  before  her. 

For  an  instant  her  mind  seemed  to  wander,  and  then 
the  startling  truth  came  like  a  mighty  avalanche  upon  her 
soul ;  and  throwing  herself  back,  she  raised  her  hand  to 
heaven,  and  screamed,  "  Grod  Almighty !  have  mercy — 
have  mercy  ! "  and  again  prostrating  herself  upon  the  body 
of  Mr.  Moreton,  she  moaned  like  a  child,  and  then  ex- 
claimed, "  Have  mercy,  oh  God !  have  mercy ! — this  cannot 
— shall  not  be ! " 

Col.  Lee  was  instantly  at  the  lady's  side,  and  with  a 
manner  that  would  have  done  honor  to  him  if  he  had  been 
offering  to  assist  a  lady  to  her  carriage,  he  said  : 

"  Mrs.  Moreton,  permit  me  to  hand  you  into  the 
house  ?" 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  371 

"  Touch  me  not ! "  said  the  lady,  springing  to  her  feet, 
and  drawing  herself  up,  as  if  about  to  be  stung  by  an 
adder,  and  pointing  her  finger  scornfully  in  his  face ;  "  touch 
me  not,  I  say,  you  slimy  and  vile  hypocrite  !  How  dare 
you,  sir,"  she  continued,  her  eyes  fairly  flashing  lurid 
fire — "  how  dare  you,  sir,  ofier  to  assist  me,  whom  you 
have  this  day  robbed  of  a  husband  ?  Go,  sir,  from  my 
presence,  or  the  servants  shall  chastise  your  impudence — 
shall  lash  you  to  your  grave  !  Go ! "  she  hysterically 
sighed,  with  a  softened  voice — "  go,  and  at  once,  for  mur- 
derers are  ye  all !  Go  !  ere  the  blight  of  Heaven,  the  sor- 
rows of  orphan  children,  and  the  sighs  of  a  heart-broken 
wife,  drive  you  like  myself — mad — mad — mad ! " 

Then  breaking  into  merry  peals  of  laughter,  she 
moaned :  "  He's  coming !  I  see  him  now,  and  his  arms 
are  open  to  meet  me !  'Twas  a  cruel  jest,  gentlemen,  to 
trifle  thus  with  my  fears !  Oh,  God !  he's  pale — there's 
blood  upon  him ! "  and  again  would  Mrs.  Moreton  have 
clasped  to  her  bosom  the  inanimate  form  before  her,  when 
a  fearful  darkness  overspread  her  face,  and  in  another 
moment  she  was  literally  carried  raving  into  the  house. 

At  the  door  stood  the  children,  all  pale  and  sorrow- 
stricken,  and  curious  to  know  what  was  the  meaning  of 
the  fearful  scenes  enacted  before  them;  comprehending 
at  length  something  of  their  misfortune,  they  mingled  their 
lamentations  with  the  sobs  of  the  mother,  that  now  could 
be  heard  from  an  adjoining  room. 

Amid  this  distress,  Aunt  Margaret  moved  about  with 
all  the  dignity  and  mercy  of  an  angel ;  she  comforted  one, 
and  then  another, — directed  the  distracted  servants,  and 


372  THE  master's  house  ; 

tried  to  soothe  the  violent  j^aroxysms  of  sorrow,  that  con- 
stantly passed  in  awful  throes  through  the  heart  of  the 
fearfully  stricken  Mrs.  Moreton. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  inanimate  form  of  the  once  fond 
father  was  disclosed  of  in  the  drawing-room ;  the  shutters 
were  closed,  and  there  settled  upon  every  thing  that  mys- 
terious impress  so  common  to  the  vicinage  of  the  dead. 

Col.  Lee,  and  the  gentlemen  with  him,  now  clustered 
around  each  other  in  the  gallery  hall,  haggard — abso- 
lutely paralyzed  with  terror ;  Col.  Lee  alone  maintained 
any  presence  of  mind,  and  remarked,  with  a  forced  compo- 
sure, which  he  did  not  feel : 

"  You  see,  gentlemen,  this  was  a  very  unfortunate 
affair — very !  Mrs.  Moreton  will,  however,  recover  in  a 
day  or  two.  The  fact  is,  that  Mildmay  deceived  us  by 
his  looks ;  he  was  evidently  much  misrepresented :  we  had 
better  see  Mrs.  Marbury  (Aunt  Margaret),  and  make  ar- 
rangements for  calling  in  a  physician,  ani  such  friends  as 
the  family  may  desire." 

A  servant  was  sent,  by  the  gentlemen,  for  Aunt  Mar- 
garet, and  when  she  made  her  appearance,  she  had  just 
succeeded  in  getting  Mrs,  Moreton  into  a  troubled  sleep, 
and  left  her  in  the  charge  of  a  faithful  domestic. 

It  was  arranged  that  some  of  the  female  members  of  a 
neighboring  family,  should  be  at  once  sent  for ;  the  mes- 
senger for  a  physician  had  already  been  dispatched. 

After  a  hurried  conversation,  carried  on  in  suppressed 
whispers.  Aunt  Margaret  satisfied  CoL  Lee,  that  his  pre- 
sence was  no  longer  necessary,  and  begged  him  to  leave, 
and  also  with  him,  his  friends. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  373 

The  gentlemen  felt  exceedingly  embarrassed;  to  go 
away  without  doing  something  to  alleviate  the  misery  be- 
fore them,  seemed  mortifying  indeed,  and  yet  they  were 
powerless  to  afford  consolation. 

While  Aunt  Margaret  stood  in  the  door,  evidently  in- 
tending to  close  it  at  the  moment  the  gentlemen  disap- 
peared, there  came  from  Mrs.  Moreton's  room  a  continued 
repetition  of  fearful  shrieks  and  screams,  and  in  another 
instant,  the  lady  herself,  pale  as  death,  rushed  upon  the 
gallery,  holding  at  arm's  length,  a  letter.  Without  seem- 
ing to  notice  any  one,  she  strode  a  few  paces,  and  in  a 
plaintive  voice,  said : 

"  Mildmay  begged  for  peace,  God  help  him ! — Mildmay 
begged  for  peace, — here's  his  very  words  ! "  and  she  pressed 
the  letter  to  her  eyes,  as  if  still  unconscious  of  the  full 
meaning  of  its  contents. 

The  gentlemen  were  now  completely  embarrassed. 
Mrs.  Moreton  was  in  a  loose  dress,  and  her  luxuriant  hair 
streamed  over  her  shoulders.  Delicacy  bade  them  precipi- 
tately retreat,  still  they  remained  as  if  fascinated  to  the 
spot. 

Aunt  Margaret,  the  moment  she  recovered  her  self-pos- 
session, went  to  Mrs.  Moreton,  and  placing  her  hand  upon 
that  lady's  shoulder,  said  : 

"  Sister,  be  calm !  let's  into  the  house." 

"  Calm  !  calm ! "  echoed  Mrs.  Moreton,  dwelling  upon 
the  word,  until  it  thrilled  all  who  heard  it,  with  horror. 

«  Do  you  bid  me  be  calm  ? — ine,  Aunt  Margaret,  who 
have  been  robbed  of  the  best  of  husbands,  and  that  too, 
by  villains,  and  fiends,  who  conspired  against  his  life,  and 


374 


who  bave  accomplislied,  by  the  hands  of  another,  what  they 
dared  not  have  done  themselves  ?  " 

"Sister,  dear  sister!"  said  Aunt  Margaret,  clasping 
the  frantic  lady  round  the  neck. 

At  this  moment  the  dark  lustrous  eyes  of  Mrs.  More- 
ton,  always  so  beautiful,  but  now,  brilliant  with  insanity, 
rested  upon  Col.  Lee  and  his  followers,  who  were  cowering 
in  trembling  groups  near  her ;  with  gigantic  strength  she 
tore  herself  away  from  all  restraint,  and  advancing  toward 
Col.  Lee  and  his  associates, — she  exclaimed : 

"Cowards  are  ye  all,  vile  cowards!  Murderers  of  a 
man  you  called  your  friend — you  have  partaken  of  his  hos- 
pitality, and  plotted  his  death  imder  his  own  roof, — look 
at  your  work — look  at  me  ! "  and  Mrs.  Moreton  raised  her- 
self up  like  a  queen  of  the  tragic  muse.  "  Look  at  those 
fatherless  children, — ^may  the  blood  of  the  dead  be  upon 
your  craven  souls  !  You  told  me,  as  you  told  7tzm,  that 
Mildmay  would  not  fight — you  lied — upon  your  souls,  you 
knew  you  lied ! " 

"  For  mercy's  sake,  dear  sister !  for  mercy's  sake  de- 
sist ! "  said  Aunt  Maro;aret,  throwincr  her  arms  around  Mrs. 
Moreton's  neck,  and  for  the  first  time  that  fearful  morning, 
that  faithful  friend  burst  into  tears. 

Again  Mrs.  Moreton  tore  herself  away,  and  still  in- 
tent upon  pouring  out  her  feelings,  where  for  the  moment 
they  centred,  she  waved  her  hand  at  Col.  Lee,  and  bade 
him  "  begone,"  and  then  continued,  with  even  more  vehe- 
mence than  ever,  "  leave  this  house;  it  is  polluted  byyoui* 
presence.  Go  !  and  may  the  execrations  of  all  good  and 
brave  men,  pursue  you ;  may  the  scalding  tears  you  have 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  375 

seen  shed  to-day,  burn  your  craven  hearts  !  may  all  moth- 
ers and  wives  spurn  and  despise  you."  And  Mrs.  More- 
ton,  struggling  for  a  moment  as  one  smothering  for  want 
of  air,  swooned,  and  fell  into  Aunt  3Iargaret's  arms. 

Col.  Lee  and  his  friends  heard  all,  like  men  entranced, 
and  they  ti-emblcd  and  blanched,  as  if  moved  about  by  au 
earthquake,  but  when  the  terms  "  cravens — murderers — 
cowards,"  were  hurled  in  their  faces,  the  crimson  blood  of 
shame  seemed  ready  to  break  through  their  cheeks  and 
foreheads,  and  their  ears  burned  as  if  they  were  on  fire. 

"Go,  I  beseech  you,  gentlemen  ! "  said  Aunt  Marga- 
ret, looking  toward  the  lawn,  as  she  assisted  in  supporting 
the  insensible  form  of  her  widowed  sister.  "  Go !  and 
may  God  forgive  you  for  your  participation  in  this  day's 
sad  work." 

The  calm  voice  of  Aunt  Margaret  broke  the  charm,  and 
they  moved  away,  like  condemned  culprits,  from  before  the 
desolation  they  themselves  had  made.  For  the  moment, 
the  mark  of  Cain  was  on  their  brows,  the  gnawing  of  ter- 
rible remorse  was  at  their  hearts,  and  for  the  moment, 
they  even  envied  the  calmness  and  the  insensibility,  that 
rested  upon  the  form  of  the  dead. 

The  full  extent  of  the  labors  of  love  performed  by  Aunt 
Margaret,  that  day,  is  recorded  in  heaven.  Never  be- 
fore, perhaps,  had  so  kind  a  heart  been  so  severely  taxed  ; 
every  feeling  had  been  wrimg  to  its  utmost  sensibility,  and 
on  the  night  of  that  awful  day,  when  nature  had  stifled  the 
sobs  of  orphaned  children  to  sleep,  when  Mrs.  Moreton, 
her  face  distorted  by  the  conflicts  of  her  mind,  sunk  from 
physical  exhaustion   into  temporary  quiet,  then,  and  not 


370  THE  master's  house; 

until  then,  did  Aunt  Margaret  steal  from  the  room,  to  look 
at  the  cold  remains  of  her  only,  her  most  affectionate 
brother ;  and  removing  the  napkin  that  covered  that  once 
loved  face,  she  gazed  steadily  awhile,  a  tear  or  two  came 
to  her  relief,  and  lifting  up  her  eyes,  she  thanked  Heaven, 
that  amidst  all  the  suffering  around  her,  she  could  see 
one  placid  expression,  even  if  it  were  caused  by  that  sleep, 
which,  until  the  resurrection  morn,  knows  no  waking. 


A    TAI.E    OF    SOT'THKUN    LIFE.  37Y 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 


THE    PENALTY. 


On  reaching  home,  Mildmay  threw  the  bridle  rein  upon 
his  horse's  neck,  and  entered  the  lawn;  Ponce  de  Leon  had, 
as  usual,  watched  his  coming  from  a  distance,  and  with  one 
of  his  vast  leaps,  was  about  fawning  upon  his  master,  when 
he  discovered  something  in  Mildmay's  eye,  that  made  him 
shrink  back,  and  whine  with  terror — on  Mildmay  strode, 
as  if  some  fiend  were  in  pursuit,  and  treading  heavily  as 
he  walked  into  the  house,  he  placed  his  gun  upon  its  ac- 
customed hooks,  'and  presented  himself  in  the  breakfast 
room. 

At  the  table  sat  Annie,  evidently  awaiting  his  coming, 
but,  as  she  looked  up  and  saw  Graham,  she  uttered  an  ex- 
clamation of  surprise,  and  then  seemed  petrified  into  a 
statue  of  alarm. 

"  I  thought  you  knew  my  walk!  "  said'he,  with  undis- 
guised sarcasm,  gloomily  taking  his  seat. 

Annie  still  stared,  her  face  working  with  strange  and 
terrible  emotion,  while  her  eyes,  to  herself,  seemed  untrue 
in  theii-  vision,  and  bowing  her  head,  she  sighed — 


.1  .'  "^  'in  K    M  ASTIOR  S    ITOUHE  ; 

'  I  do  kuow  your  walk,  Graham  !  "  and  then  looking  up 
with  increasing  alarm,  she  continued,  "  but  that  was  not 
your  step  I  just  now  heard." 

"  It  ivas  If''  answered  Graham,  with  a  sneer,  and  then 
ho  literally  snarled  through  his  teeth,  "  the  ears  of  love 
grow  dull  by  time." 

"Graham!"  exclaimed  Annie,  and  turning  deadly 
pale,  and  rising  straight  up  from  her  seat,  she  fell  toward 
him,  as  stiif  and  cold  as  if  she  had  been  marble. 

Graham  caught  the  insensible  form  of  his  wife,  and 
held  it  as  firmly,  and  remorselessly  as  if  it  were  really  an 
inanimate  thing.  Glaring  down  upon  the  closed  eyes  and 
pale  face  of  the  beautiful  and  innocent  Annie,  he  tried  to 
recollect  what  was  his  relation  to  the  being  he  held  in  his 
arms;  he  had,  for  the  moment,  no  distinct  idea  of  the  rela- 
tion of  wife ;  wandering,  to  him  an  age,  in  the  undefined 
regions  of  horrid  uncertainty,  he  first  remembered  his 
early  associations  in  Maiden ;  and  by  degrees,  and  slow 
and  painful  progress,  he  traced  his  acquaintance  with  An- 
nie, through  courtship  and  marriage — and  carefully  con- 
necting the  incidents,  the  truth  finally  dawned  upon  him, 
who  she  really  was ;  and  for  the  relief  of  his  breaking  heart, 
scalding  tears  ran  streaming  from  his  eyes. 

His  mind  once  enlightened,  he  bore  Annie  to  a  couch, 
and  the  intense  solicitude  he  felt  lest  the  vital  spark  had 
fled,  was  a  temporary  relief  from  the  tenfold  more  terrible 
burden  that  crushed  his  heart. 

The  moment  that  she  was  left  to  herself,  the  currents 
of  life  slowly  returned  to  their  channels ;  she  sighed  and 
moaned  as  one  waking  from  a  deep  and  almost  fatal  sleep ; 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  oYO 

and  at  last,  with  her  eyes  still  closed,  she  reached  out  her 
hands,  and  ejaculated : 

"  Mother,  where's  Graham  ?  " 

"  Here  I  am,"  he  answered,  leaning  over  her  prostrate 
form. 

"And  is  this  truly  my  Graham  ? "  said  the  stricken 
wife,  her  face  still  full  of  doubt. 

"  Annie,"  said  Mildmay,  supporting  her  in  his  arms, 
"  since  we  last  parted,  I  have  passed  through  dangers 
which  you  cannot  comprehend ;  I  have  been  tempted  by 
the  evil  one,  and  have  fallen  a  victim.  I  have  those 
about  me  who  have  sought  to  destroy  not  only  my  life,  but 
my  honor ; "  and  here  Mildmay  became  too  choked  for  ut- 
terance. 

"  Passed  through  dangers ! "  murmured  Annie,  with 
increasing  strength  and  interest.  "  Tell  me,  what  is  this 
fatal  secret ! — why  this  change  !  Do  you  not  love  me, 
Graham  ?  do  you  not  know  Annie  ? — have  you  forgotten 
your  wife?" 

"  Annie,"  said  Graham,  his  face  resuming  some  of  its 
natural  expression, — "  Annie,  a  cloud  has  settled  upon 
us ;  the  peace  of  our  once  happy  home  is  destroyed  for  ever  ! 
my  life  is  now  valueless  !  I  have  shed  human  blood,  and 
the  never-dying  worm  of  remorse  is  eating  at  my  heart." 

Annie  now  in  an  instant  comprehended  all,  still  the 
particulars  were  vague  and  undefined.  There  passed 
through  her  mind  a  thousand  things  before  imnoticed, 
which,  when  considered  together,  led  her  to  the  correct 
result ;  and  throwing  her  arms  about  Mildmay's  neck,  she 
wept  and  sobbed  like  a  child. 


380  THE  master's  house  ; 

It  was  while  Annie  was  thus  pouring  out  her  feelings 
upon  Mildmay's  breast,  that  her  form  seemed  again  to 
melt  in  unity  with  his  own  ;  the  consciousness  of  the  pos- 
session of  her  unwavering  love  returned  to  him  as  a  dim 
star  glimmering  in  a  dark  and  stormy  sky, — and  as  she 
looked  up  in  his  face,  he  pressed  one  long  and  earnest  kiss 
of  redemption  upon  her  brow. 

Time  wore  heavily  on.  Two  persons  inhabited  that 
once  pleasant  home,  who  appeared  careworn,  despondent — 
prematm-ely  old.  There  were  times  of  momentary  peace, 
— rays  of  sunshine  occasionally  broke  forth,  but  the  clouds 
would  always  overpower  in  the  struggle,  and  leave  a  deeper 
gloom. 

Neither  Annie  nor  Graham  ever  alluded  to  the  cause 
of  all  this  sorrow.  The  young  wife  redoubled  her  efforts 
to  render  her  husband's  home  cheerful,  but  she  found  in 
her  despair  that  all  her  efforts  affected  only  his  physical 
comfort, — his  mind  she  could  not  reach. 

The  master  and  mistress  of  Heritage  Place  endeavored 
to  resume,  at  least  outwardly,  their  accustomed  manner  of 
life.  Both  felt  that  they  were  now  more  than  ever  neces- 
sary for  each  other's  existence — the  word  "happiness" 
they  dared  not  utter.  Occasionally  a  calm  would  come 
over  their  household,  but  some  unpleasant  reminiscence 
connected  with  the  duel  would  be  rudely  thrust  upon  them, 
and  their  bark  of  life  would  suddenly  ground  upon  the 
sands  of  desolate  recollections. 

The  duel  became  a  matter  of  newspaper  notoriety ; 
"  public  opinion,"  which  would  have  been  foremost  in  de- 
nouncing Mildmay  if  he  had  obeyed  the  reasonings  of  his 


1^ 


A    TALE    Of    SOUTIIEKN    }AVE,  381 

own  conscience,  and  "  refused  to  figlit,"  was  now  poured 
out  in  news-paragrapliical  sympathy  for  the  deceased, — 
for  the  "  fiitherlcss  children," — for  the  "  widowed  and 
afflicted  mother : "  and  as  these  statements  and  reflections 
spread,  they  became  exaggerated,  and  rolled  back  from  the 
distance  in  a  dark  cloud  of  condemnation  on  duelling,  and 
on  the  head  of  "  the  monster  Graham  Mildmay,"  who  was 
finally  represented  as  "  a  desperado  of  the  Southwest, 
seeking  by  every  means  in  his  power,  to  imbrue  his  hands  in 
human  blood." 

It  was  these  things  that  continually  gave  activity  to 
the  misery  that  rested  upon  the  inmates  of  Heritage 
Place,  and  destroyed  in  the  minds  of  Graham  and  Annie 
the  little  consolation  that  would  have  arisen  in  the  thought 
that  their  sorrows  were  confined  to  their  own  domestic 
circle,  and  sanctified  by  the  privacy  of  their  own  hearts. 
Instead  of  this,  the  idea  haunted  their  sensitive  spirits 
that  a  million  eyes  of  the  thoughtless  public  were  staring 
upon  them  from  the  surrounding  world,  and  that  they  were 
never  again  to  be  free  from  observation — yiever  again  to 
he  alone. 

The  enervating  influences  of  a  Southern  climate,  mean- 
while, had  their  efi'ect  upon  Annie.  At  the  very  time  of 
the  occurrence  of  the  sad  incidents  that  so  severely  wounded 
her  spirit,  she  was  in  the  critical  time  of  acclimation, 
and  consequently,  least  capable,  so  far  as  her  physical 
health  was  concerned,  to  bear  so  great  a  shock.  Her  in- 
tense desire  to  sootlie  Graham  under  his  misfortunes  ren- 
dered her  blind  to  her  own  declining  strength  ;  and  when 
Graham  became  conscious  that  she  was,  and  had  been. 


382  THE  master's  house  ; 

perhaps,  a  long  time  sinking  under  her  weight  of  sorrow,  a 
new  cause  of  alarm  thrilled  his  soul. 

The  subject  once  broached  by  Graham,  the  language 
of  sympathy  broke  Annie's  silence  regarding  herself,  and 
she  acknowledged  that  she  felt  that  she  had  not  long  to 
live ;  yet  there  was  no  perceptible,  or  defined  sickness. 
Graham  now  in  turn  became  the  sympathizing  nurse,  and 
found  absolute  relief  in  his  anxiety  and  attentions  to  An- 
nie, from  the  more  terrible  feelings  of  remorse  that  still 
haunted  his  heart. 

"  Time,"  he  would  say,  taking  Annie's  attenuated  hand 
in  his  own — "  Time,  my  Annie,  will  assauge  these  regrets; 
we  are  young,  and  we  will  outlive  the  first  blow  of  this 
terrible  aflaiction  that  has  come  upon  us  :  we  will  know 
how  to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  the  future  by  the  severe  les- 
son we  have  had  of  the  past.  You  shall  help  me,  dear 
wife,  to  atone  for  my  errors ;  if  we  cannot  be  very,  very 
happy,  we  can  at  least  enjoy  peace." 

Annie  would  smile, — would  look  full  of  hope,  but  if 
Graham  could  have  been  restored  to  that  sensitiveness  of 
love  that  possessed  his  heart  in  the  "  olden  times,"  he 
would  have  perceived  that  Annie  Hastings  was  quietly, 
but  sweetly  passing  away ;  she  felt  it — ^knew  it :  her  only 
consolation  was,  that  she  should  breathe  her  last  in  Gra- 
ham's arms,  and  blessing  his  afi"ection,  lead  the  way  to 
Heaven.  Still  Annie  pursued  her  simple  occupations,  and 
sometimes  made  even  Graham's  saddened  face  light  up 
with  a  smile  at  her  unusual  interest  in  some  trivial  occu- 
pation, which  showed,  that  she  still  remembered  tastes  and 
preferences  which  he  had  formerly  expressed. 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTHERN    LIFE.  383 

The  desolation  at  Mrs.  Moreton's  was  complete.  The 
widowed  mother  had  only  momentary  glimpses  of  reason, 
and  then  relapsed  into  moaning,  idiotic  insanity.  She 
made  the  night  air  thick  with  her  complaints,  and  demands 
for  her  husband ;  and  kneeling  down,  she  would  call  on 
Heaven  to  for  ever  crush  the  men,  "  who  took  Mr.  Moreton 
away  to  execution  ! " 

Eminent  physicians  came  up  from  New  Orleans,  in 
hopes  that  their  skill  could  do  something  to  relieve  Mrs. 
Moreton ;  and  the  result  was,  the  temporary  removal  of  the 
whole  family  to  the  city.  As  its  youthful  members, 
arrayed  in  deepest  mourning,  in  charge  of  Aunt  Mar- 
garet, passed  through  Beechland,  tears  were  plentifully 
shed  by  eyes  heretofore  unused  to  such  weakness.  There 
they  were,  orphaned,  deprived  of  their  natural  protectors, 
marching  in  long  procession,  the  very  impersonation  of 
woe.  Even  the  vivacious  Toots  had  become  a  quiet  child ; 
her  little  spirit  was  subdued,  and  beyond  insisting  that 
every  one  should  acknowledge  that  her  younger  sister  (the 
baby)  was  good,  she  for  the  while  but  little  resembled  her 
former  self. 

One  of  the  subordinate  incidents  connected  with  the 
duel,  it  perhaps  should  be  mentioned,  was  that  Col.  Lee,  in 
the  reaction  of  public  sentiment,  came  in  for  his  share  of 
denunciation ;  but,  as  usual,  when  it  was  too  late  to  accom- 
plish any  good,  in  checking  his  vanity  in  arranging 
''  points  of  honor."  In  the  midst  of  what  he  considered 
a  momentary  decadence  of  his  star,  authentic  information 
came  to  Beechland,  that  the  *'  high-toned,  chivalrous  re- 
presentative of  one  of  the  first  families  of  Virginia,  Col. 


384  THE  master's  house; 

Lee,"  was  the  son  of  a  ouce  respectable  tavern-keeper  in 
the  vicinity  of  Colesburg ;  and  that  all  the  knowledge  he 
had  of  horses,  or  good  society,  was  what  he  picked  up  as  a 
stable-boy,  or  in  listening  to  the  conversations  at  the  talle 
cVhote.  This  blow,  with  his  other  troubles,  struck  him 
down,  and  amid  the  jeers  of  the  people  generally,  he 
sneaked  off  at  night  from  Beechland,  as  Busteed  remarked, 
"  to  turn  up  in  Texas, — do  over  again  the  '  first  family 
humbug,'  and  look  down  upon  honest  people  on  account 
of  his  aristocratic  associations." 

Mr.  Moreton  was  buried  near  the  public  road  in  the 
graveyard  at  Beechland ;  it  was  contemplated  to  erect  a 
splendid  monument  over  his  grave,  and  the  site  alluded  to 
was  selected  by  Col.  Lee  as  the  fittest  place  to  display  to 
the  passers-by  upon  the  "  storied  urn "  the  many  virtues 
of  the  deceased.  Soon  after  the  funeral  there  came  on  one 
of  those  long  and  continuous  rains,  so  common  in  the 
South,  and  the  roads  every  where  were  almost  impassable 
— they  were  so  cut  up  by  heavy  loads.  The  negroes, 
with  their  jaded  teams,  in  their  usual  desire  to  avoid  the 
obstacles  of  the  prescribed  highway,  made  a  short  cut 
across  one  corner  of  the  graveyard ;  and  what  was  first 
done  in  the  spirit  of  necessity,  soon  became  a  matter  of 
course,  and  ox-wagons,  emigrants,  carriages,  and  foot-pas- 
sengers pursued,  unconscious  of  profanation,  the  new- 
made  way. 

But  when  the  sun  shone  out  again  in  brightness, — 
when  the  heretofore  impassable  road  resumed  its  wonted 
hard  and  dusty  firmness, — it  was  found,  that  the  resting- 


A    TALK     OK    SOITIIKKN     ),IFK.  38") 

place  of  the  once  uoblc  and  generous-hcartccl  JMi-.  Moreton, 
was  entirely  obliterated  from  the  face  of  the  earth. 

Major  Pixou  finally  carried  out  his  cherished  intention 
of  retiring  from  active  participation  in  his  long  pursued, 
and,  to  him,  most  profitable  business.  Ilis  trip  to  Coles- 
burg  was  his  last  appearance  in  his  professional  capacity. 
On  his  return  to  New  Orleans  he  sold  out  his  depot,  and 
retiring  to  a  valuable  tract  of  land  he  had  long  owned  in 
the  vicinity  of  Beechland,  he  brought  together  a  large 
number  of  negroes  that  he  had  hired  about  the  country, 
and,  as  if  by  magic,  turned  into  a  substantial  planter; 
and,  ar  -vas  agreed  by  the  best  judges,  owned  the  "  hand- 
somest force"  that  could  be  found  in  the  whole  South. 

As  Major  Dixon  gradually  developed  himself,  his 
eipivocal  Georgian  title  of  Major,  warmed  under  the  in- 
fluence of  popular  favor,  burst,  like  a  well-perfected  bud, 
into  the  full-blown  luxui'iance  of  "  General ;  "  and  so  quietly 
had  it  been  done,  that  no  one  could  remember  when  the 
transition  took  place. 

"Alava" — for  such  was  the  name  the  General  chose 
for  his  place — was  distinguished  for  the  rich  furniture  of 
the  residence,  as  well  as  for  its  perfectly  trained  domes- 
tics. The  arrival,  from  time  to  time,  at  Beechland,  of 
costly  mirrors,  damask  curtains,  rich  carpets,  cushioned 
chairs, — all  bearing  the  magical  mark  of  "  D,"  in  their 
liual  disposition,  gave  to  the  reception-rooms  an  almost 
unknown  splendor.  Upon  the  walls  were  hung  several 
fine  engravings,  prominently  among  which  the  proprietor 
of  Alava  placed  "  Mercy's^ Dream  ;"  his  own  portrait, 
half-lenglh,  Iiad  alf.o  been  paink'd,  which  represented  iliv 


386  THE  master's  house  ; 

General,  sittiDg  in  a  magnificent  library,  and  holding  a 
"  Virgil "  in  his  hand. 

Parson  Goshawk,  as  he  now  disliked  to  be  called,  soon 
after  he  married  the  widow  Hartshorn,  devoted  the  whole 
of  his  time  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  had  unfortu- 
nately become  affected  by  a  bronchial  complaint.  His  gen- 
eral health  appeared  excellent ;  he  had  an  unfailing  appe- 
tite, and  nothing,  however  great  the  quantity,  that  went 
doivn  his  throat,  hurt  him  :  talking  about  cotton,  negroes, 
or,  my  plantation,  did  not  seem  to  irritate  the  epiglottis,  but 
the  moment  he  rose  in  the  pulpit  to  preach,  he  said  that 
he  felt  a  wandering  of  mind, — a  vacancy  of' thought, — a 
total  want  of  interest  in  the  subject  matter  before  him, — 
that  was  truly  alarming ;  and  he  was,  therefore,  obliged 
to  leave  off  public  ministrations  altogether,  and  thus  having 
leisure,  he  often  visited,  and  became  quite  a  favorite  with 
his  neighbor.  Gen.  Dixon,  whose  hospitality  soon  became 
proverbial. 

Surrounded  with  friends,  it  was  seldom  indeed  that 
the  General  partook  of  the  solitary  meal  of  a  bachelor 
planter.  The  return  of  a  birthday  was  made  the  occasion 
of  a  social  gathering.  The  guests  filled  the  splendid  par- 
lors, and  in  varied  conversation  beguiled  the  time  preced- 
ing the  announcement  that  the  feast  is  prepared.  Upon 
a  sideboard  was  a  rich  display  of  cut-glass,  a  pitcher  of 
ice-water,  and  several  decanters  of  costly  liquors  and 
wines.  Generally,  a  servant  stood  by  to  assist  those  who 
desired  to  refresh  themselves ;  if  not,  the  gentlemen,  with 
and  without  ceremony,  gratified  their  appetites. 

On  one  of  those  pleasant  sideboard  gatherings,  while 


A    TAl.K    OF    SnrXHF.lJX    I.IFK.  387 

the  gentlemen  were  trying  their  wits  about  the  age  and 
value  of  the  costly  wines  and  brandies  before  them,  Mr. 
Goshawk  started  up  with  animation,  and  said  :  "  Are  you 
aware,  gentlemen,  that  these  lovely  flowers,  in  which  we 
are  almost  embowered,  are  absolutely  the  complimentary 
evidences  of  the  esteem  in  which  General  Dixon  is  held  by 
the  ladies  of  my  congregation  ?  " 

"  Pshaw,  Goshawk  ! "  said  Dixon,  absolutely  blushing 
to  his  eyes. 

"  Aha  ! "  said  Judge  Burley  ;  "  this  explains  why  that 
white  '  lady  banks '  has  been  so  very  carefully  disposed 
of  on  the  centre-table, — reposing  luxuriantly  in  a  vasfc 
by  itself:  acknowledge  the  indictment,  General; — that 
bud  is  from  old  Governor  Starbuck's  conservatory,  now 
isn't  it?''  and  the  judge  looked  unusually  knowing  upon 
the  company  present. 

"  The  fact- is,"  stammered  the  General,  still  confused — 
"  the  fact  is,  the  ladies  have  been  very  kind  indeed,  and  I 
am  deeply  indebted  to  them." 

"  But  you  find  one  thornless  rose  among  the  number, 
that  is  especially  worthy  of  an  honored  place,"  pursued 
the  judge,  still  keeping  up  his  mysterious  expression. 

'•  Don't  be  too  severe  on  the  General,"  said  Goshawk, 
coming  to  his  relief,  "  for  you  cannot  imagine  that  Alava 
will  always  be  without  a  mistress." 

"  A  health  to  the  future  lady  of  Alava,"  cried  Captain 
Mercer,  moving  towards  the  sideboard ;  "  come,  '  gents,' 
let's  fill  up."  A  simultaneous  rush  was  made  to  the  point 
designated,  and  the  significant  gurgling  sounds  of  liquids 
and  the  mu.sical  tinkling  of  glasses  ensued. 


388  THE  master's  house  ; 

Preceded  by  a  grateful  rattling  of  silver  spoons,  and 
other  preluding  noises  from  an  adjoining  room,  that  so 
clearly  indicate  that  the  last  artistic  touches  are  being 
given  to  the  carefully  set  table — the  folding  doors  were 
opened,  and  the  hospitable  board,  and  its  accessories  pre- 
sented to  view. 

Upon  a  side  table  were  piled  up  hundreds  of  pieces 
of  fine  china,  beside  of  which,  were  ascending  from  the 
potage  juUien,  and  bisque,  the  most  grateful  odors. 

The  guests,  by  a  profusion  of  servants,  who  moved  with 
quietness  and  precision,  were  conducted  to  their  assigned 
places  at  the  sumptuous  board,  and  with  a  graceful  preli- 
minary, they  unfolded  the  fine  napkins,  on  which  rested  the 
prism-hued  crystal,  and  in  their  new  form,  seemed  drifted 
snow,  absolutely  deceiving  the  imagination  into  a  sense  of 
giving  a  cooling  influence  to  the  genial  atmosphere. 

Thus  were  disposed,  the  recipients  of  the  hospitality 
of  the  prosperous  and  honored  Gen.  Dixon,  and  with  smiling 
faces,  and  grateful  expectation,  they  beheld  adown  the  long 
table,  at  stated  intervals,  glistening  pyramids  of  cake,  com- 
bined under  the  eye  of  innocence  and  beauty,  from  the 
charmed  surfaces  of  which  sprang,  in  wasteful  profusion, 
sugar-coated  "  loves,"  and  innocent  lambkins  enchained 
in  rosy  wreaths. 

Still  securing  the  attention  of  the  eye  were  the  varied 
preserved  fruits  of  the  Western  Indies,  lying  in  their  juicy 
beds,  as  fresh  as  if  just  robbed  from  their  spicy  homes, 
while  rich  confections  and  preserves,  in  luxuriant  wanton- 
ness, filled  up  the  intervening  spaces. 

A  choice  bouquet  of  flowers,  by  their  enamelled  smiles, 


I 


A    TALR    OF    SOUTHKUN     lAFK.  389 

designated  tlio  allotted  place  of  each  guest,  while  from 
the  ceutrc  of  all,  towered  a  floral  pyramid,  in  which  strug- 
gled for  glowing  supremacy  the  choicest  native  and  ex- 
otic flowers,  making  the  very  air  redolent  with  the  per- 
fumes of  the  honey-suckle,  the  hyacinth,  the  orange  and 
citron  bud, — more  beautiful  than  Ceres  or  Pomona  ever 
ofiered  to  the  Queen  of  Love ;  and  amid  all,  there  went  up 
the  appropriate  incense  of  a  blessing,  from  the  appointed 
man  of  God. 


390  THE  master's  itoupe  : 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


#     #     #     #     * 


Never  was  there  a  funeral  attended  hy  more  sincere 
mourners,  than  accompanied  the  remains  of  Annie  Mild- 
may  to  her  last  resting-place.  Among  the  throng,  there 
was  scarcely  one  who  could  claim  a  personal  acquaintance, 
yet  Annie  was  remembered,  as  she  had  occasionally  ap- 
peared at  church,  jmd  all  felt  that  her  premature  death  was 
hastened  by  the  sad  events  already  recorded.  From  the 
moment  that  she  bestowed  her  last  look  of  affection  upon 
her  husband,  and  raised  her  last  prayer  that  Heaven  would 
bless  him,  Graham  seemed  to  be  as  one  stunned  beyond 
recovery.  Throughout  all  the  affecting  preliminaries,  he 
passively  obeyed  the  suggestions  of  Gen.  Bledsoe,  and 
submitted,  without  remark,  to  whatever  was  done  by  the 
kind-hearted  ladies  of  the  neighborhood,  who  volunteered 
their  attentions  by  the  bed  of  sickness,  and  in  the  chamber 
of  death. 

The  last  rites  to  the  beautiful  and  good  were  per- 
formed in  the  morning.  The  grave  was  in  a  quiet  spot, 
beneath  a  wide-spreading  oak,  whose  immense  limbs  held 


A    TALE    OF    SOUTH KKN    LIFE.  391 

their  delicate  Icafiugs,  as  if  they  would  protect  the  little 
hillock  from  every  rude  intrusion.  Even  before  the  mourn- 
ers had  departed,  the  innocent  birds  were  carolling  in 
the  tree-top,  and  from  a  distance,  its  vernal  gloom  seemed 
to  promise  sweet  repose. 

Graham  sat  hour  after  hour  upon  the  now,  to  him, 
deserted  gallery.  His  servants  moved  noiselessly  about, 
and  dared  not  disturb  his  hopeless  sorrow.  Toward  the 
close  of  day,  Grovcrnor  (since  the  duel  more  than  ever 
cherished  for  his  faithful  service)  handed  his  master  a 
large  number  of  letters  and  papers,  which  were  listlessly 
received,  and  then,  unnoticed,  cast  aside.  The'  sun  that 
had  for  some  moments  been  struggling  upon  the  horizon, 
and  in  flickering  gleams  illuminated  the  landscape,  now 
rapidly  disappeared ;  and  as  there  is  no  twilight  in  a 
Southern  sky,  the  thick  darkness  of  a  starless  night  en- 
shrouded the  form  of  Graham  Mildmay.     . 


THE    END. 


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